Uefa confirm countries can name 26-man squads for Euro 2020 finals

Uefa has confirmed that countries will be able to name 26-man squads for this summer's Euro 2020.

Squads for the tournament will be able to include three more players than usual in case of positive tests for Covid-19 and subsequent spells of quarantine.

France and Belgium managers Didier Deschamps and Roberto Martinez were among those who had called for the change while England's Gareth Southgate had been opposed. Match-day squads will still be limited to 23 players.

European football's governing body also confirmed that coronavirus was classed as a "serious illness", meaning a player can be replaced if he tests positive before a team's first match.

The tournament, which had been scheduled to take place last summer, begins on 11 June. The deadline for submitting squads is 1 June.

Uefa said in a statement: "To mitigate the risks of teams facing a shortage of available players for certain matches due to possible positive Covid-19 tests results and subsequent quarantine measures ordered by competent authorities, it has been decided to exceptionally increase the player list for all participating teams to 26 players.

"However, 23 players shall remain the maximum number permitted on the match sheet for each individual match ... including three goalkeepers.

Gallery: Scotland celebrate Euro 2020 qualification

Scotland celebrate their penalty shootout victory against Serbia in Belgrade that sees them qualify for Euro 2020 - their first major finals since 1998. Getty
Scotland players celebrate after winning on penalties against Serbia in the Euro 2020 qualifier. EPA
Scotland's Scott McTominay celebrates in Belgrade. Getty Images
Scotland goalkeeper David Marshall is mobbed by teammates after the shootout. Getty
Scotland players celebrate after winning on penalties against Serbia. AP
Kenny McLean scores from the spot for Scotland. Getty Images
Scotland players celebrate victory. Getty
Scott McTominay leads the celebrations. Reuters
Scotland players celebrate victory.. EPA

"For the sake of clarity, players who have tested positive for Covid-19 or who have been declared as 'close contacts' of a positive Covid-19 tested person – and therefore put in isolation – by way of an authorities' decision are considered cases of serious illness and can therefore be replaced before the first match with the approval of the Uefa administration."

Uefa said goalkeepers would be able to be called up in case of injury or illness before each match, even if one or two keepers from the player list are still available.

A player that has been replaced on the player list will not later be allowed to return to the competition.

Uefa had already decided that teams would be allowed to make up to five substitutions in games at the delayed tournament instead of the usual three, in line with current rules across many club competitions.

Euro 2020 was postponed last year because of the pandemic but is due to take place at venues across the continent, from June 11 to July 11.

It was set to be held in 12 hosts cities in 12 countries but Dublin and Bilbao were forced to drop out as they could not guarantee the presence of fans at the Aviva Stadium in the Irish capital and the San Mames.

The four matches due to be held in the Basque Country – three from Group E and a last 16 game – were kept in Spain by moving them to Seville's La Cartuja stadium.

The three Group E matches originally scheduled to be held in Dublin were shifted to Saint Petersburg, which had already been assigned three Group B matches and a quarter-final, while London's Wembley Stadium took the last 16 match.

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Citizenship-by-investment programmes

United Kingdom

The UK offers three programmes for residency. The UK Overseas Business Representative Visa lets you open an overseas branch office of your existing company in the country at no extra investment. For the UK Tier 1 Innovator Visa, you are required to invest £50,000 (Dh238,000) into a business. You can also get a UK Tier 1 Investor Visa if you invest £2 million, £5m or £10m (the higher the investment, the sooner you obtain your permanent residency).

All UK residency visas get approved in 90 to 120 days and are valid for 3 years. After 3 years, the applicant can apply for extension of another 2 years. Once they have lived in the UK for a minimum of 6 months every year, they are eligible to apply for permanent residency (called Indefinite Leave to Remain). After one year of ILR, the applicant can apply for UK passport.

The Caribbean

Depending on the country, the investment amount starts from $100,000 (Dh367,250) and can go up to $400,000 in real estate. From the date of purchase, it will take between four to five months to receive a passport.

Portugal

The investment amount ranges from €350,000 to €500,000 (Dh1.5m to Dh2.16m) in real estate. From the date of purchase, it will take a maximum of six months to receive a Golden Visa. Applicants can apply for permanent residency after five years and Portuguese citizenship after six years.

“Among European countries with residency programmes, Portugal has been the most popular because it offers the most cost-effective programme to eventually acquire citizenship of the European Union without ever residing in Portugal,” states Veronica Cotdemiey of Citizenship Invest.

Greece

The real estate investment threshold to acquire residency for Greece is €250,000, making it the cheapest real estate residency visa scheme in Europe. You can apply for residency in four months and citizenship after seven years.

Spain

The real estate investment threshold to acquire residency for Spain is €500,000. You can apply for permanent residency after five years and citizenship after 10 years. It is not necessary to live in Spain to retain and renew the residency visa permit.

Cyprus

Cyprus offers the quickest route to citizenship of a European country in only six months. An investment of €2m in real estate is required, making it the highest priced programme in Europe.

Malta

The Malta citizenship by investment programme is lengthy and investors are required to contribute sums as donations to the Maltese government. The applicant must either contribute at least €650,000 to the National Development & Social Fund. Spouses and children are required to contribute €25,000; unmarried children between 18 and 25 and dependent parents must contribute €50,000 each.

The second step is to make an investment in property of at least €350,000 or enter a property rental contract for at least €16,000 per annum for five years. The third step is to invest at least €150,000 in bonds or shares approved by the Maltese government to be kept for at least five years.

Candidates must commit to a minimum physical presence in Malta before citizenship is granted. While you get residency in two months, you can apply for citizenship after a year.

Egypt

A one-year residency permit can be bought if you purchase property in Egypt worth $100,000. A three-year residency is available for those who invest $200,000 in property, and five years for those who purchase property worth $400,000.

Source: Citizenship Invest and Aqua Properties