The number of coronavirus cases has risen in Europe for the first time in 10 weeks, a trend that coincides with the return of crowded stadiums for the Euro 2020 quarterfinals and has prompted Germany’s interior minister to condemn soccer’s governing body.
“UEFA’s position is utterly irresponsible,” Horst Seehofer told a news conference Thursday. “I cannot explain why UEFA is not being sensible … I suspect it is due to commercialism.”
Crowds have varied in size from completely full, with 60,000 in Budapest, to 10,000-15,000 (25 percent-45 percent capacity) in other stadiums since the tournament began June 11.