UEFA held crisis talks this morning amid the worldwide coronavirus outbreak and the decision was made to push the Euros tournament back to 2021.
The tournament that was due to open on June 12 in Rome is now scheduled for next year from June 11 to July 11, in the same 12 host nations.
The virus currently “makes football and all life in Europe quite impossible,” UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin said.
“We think postponing the Euro is the only (way) to get a chance to the national leagues and to all the club competitions to finish,” Ceferin said.
The UEFA executive committee made the decision after hosting a video conference call with its 55 national member federations.
Photo: The Sun
The European Championship final typically attracts a broadcast audience of 300 million worldwide and the 51-game tournament made UEFA a profit of 830 million euros ($912 million) four years ago.
“Moving Euro 2020 comes at a huge cost for UEFA,” Ceferin said in a statement.
The freeze on games amid the pandemic has also put broadcasting deals worth hundreds of millions of dollars on hold and could lead to the 2019-20 season being annulled in some competitions.
Completing domestic league seasons would allow titles to be awarded and decide entries for the next Champions League and Europa League. If resuming the season is possible, UEFA’s options to complete this season include playing the quarterfinals and semifinals as single games instead of over two legs where each team has a home match.
Kyriakos Mitsotakis made a televised address to Greek citizens on Tuesday on the spread of the coronavirus, echoing French President Emmanuel Macron, declaring that “we are at war.”
“The enemy is invisible but not invincible,” he said. “If we curb the spread of the virus, we give time to the health system to address urgent cases,” he added, noting that, “our first priority is to save lives.”
He announced that the capital’s NIMTS hospital will be turned into a centre for the treatment of coronavirus patients. With the help of private clinics, 1,900 additional hospital beds will also be made available for patients afflicted with the virus.
“Our first concern are people and public health,” he said. “That is way we imposed, earlier than other European countries, unprecedented measures for peacetime.” He said the state has three key goals: curbing the spread of the virus, boosting the health system and supporting the economy and workers.
Economy repair
The government will provide 2.5 billion euros to tackle the problems to the economy and labor market caused by the repercussions of the virus, the premier said. He appealed to employers not to dismiss workers as the government is planning measures that will boost liquidity and will allow them to endure the crisis.
“What was once cocooning is now necessary,” Mitsotakis said, underlining the need for people to stay at home to avert the spread of the virus, particularly to vulnerable social groups. “Our primary concern is to protect the elderly.”
Πρώτη μας φροντίδα είναι ο άνθρωπος και η δημόσια υγεία. Για αυτό επιβάλαμε, νωρίτερα από άλλες ευρωπαϊκές χώρες, μέτρα πρωτοφανή για καιρό ειρήνης. Τρεις είναι οι στόχοι: O περιορισμός της διάδοσης του ιού. Η ενίσχυση του συστήματος υγείας. Η στήριξη οικονομίας και εργαζομένων.
The prime minister stressed, “We want to save jobs. And I urge businesses not to make redundancies. Because there will be measures that will stimulate liquidity and allow them to withstand this adversity.”
Mitsotakis warned that “the risk will increase in the coming two months” and said “new restrictions will follow,” stressing discipline and change in daily attitude to listen to the experts.
Σε πρώτη φάση, η κυβέρνηση θα διαθέσει €2 δισ. για να βοηθήσει παραγωγικές δραστηριότητες με προβλήματα λόγω μείωσης του τζίρου. Ενώ το κράτος, και όχι η επιχείρηση, αναλαμβάνει να καταβάλει μέρος του μισθού των εργαζομένων στους κλάδους που πλήττονται.
Speaking of the closure of schools and universities and remote working, the PM stressed that “what we are experiencing is not ’15 days of relaxed holidays’” but something more akin to war conditions.
Mitsotakis added that this attitude requires “many and drastic measures,” and relies on the discipline of each citizen to limit the pandemic, and therefore the number of casualties.
Concluding his address to the nation, Mitsotakis urged people to stay safe — by staying at home.
”We will make it. We, the Greeks, will emerge once again victorious!” he declared.
The Football Federation Australia (FFA) has temporarily suspended all grassroots football in an attempt to help minimise the spread of the coronavirus.
“After considered discussion with its nine State and Territory Member Federations and assessment of developments today, sanctioned grassroots football competitions and associated training would be suspended for the next four weeks,” a statement released by the FFA on Tuesday says.
All forms of semi-professional and local football games, including training and competitions, will not be permitted to take place. This includes National Premier Leagues, FFA Cup, youth and footballing activities under FFA jurisdiction such as MiniRoos and futsal.
This also means that competitions already in operation, such as the NPL, will have to halt while the winter amateur competitions due to start at the end of this month will be delayed.
The decision will take effect from 12:00am on Wednesday, 18 March 2020 until Tuesday, 14 April 2020.
FFA Chief Executive Officer James Johnson explained that while disappointing, reducing community gatherings would help slow the spread of the virus and that this was the driving factor in the decision.
FFA CEO James Johnson speaking in a press conference. Photo: FFA
“It is very regrettable that grassroots football will not proceed for the next month, but as a good and responsible citizen, we recognise that our game of approximately 1.96 million participants, has a significant role to play in slowing the spread of the virus,” Johnson said.
“More Australians play grassroots football than any other team sport in the country and we have been able to listen to the voice of our community, through the establishment of the National COVID-19 Working Committee and our Guidelines, who have expressed a desire to contribute more to the nation at this time through a unified and Whole of Game response.”
Football NSW Chief Executive Officer Stuart Hodge released a statement following the announcement by the FFA, recognising the importance of upholding the safety and wellbeing of the football community.
““Football NSW first and foremost supports our football family members and the wider community in ensuring that their health, wellbeing and safety is paramount amidst the current climate,” Hodge says.
“We are all unified as a sport to help ensure that the situation stabilizes by allowing our participants the chance to focus on what is important to them right now and that is keeping safe and well.
“We will continue to update all our members on the on-going changes that may occur but may I ask that each and everyone of you take care of yourselves, your family members and friends in this time of need.”
There are still no plans yet to suspend professional competitions such as the A-League and the W-League. Games will be played behind closed doors for the remainder of the season with FFA committed to playing this weekend’s W-League grand final between Sydney FC and Melbourne City.
FFA announced that they will continue to communicate new developments regarding the grassroots football suspension in the lead-up to 14 April 2020.
St Spyridon College is making waves with its plan to open a Kinder Minus One “Leading Edge Centre” in 2021, which will prepare young children to enter formal schooling with confidence and success.
The centre will provide a coherent Early Intervention and School Readiness (EISR) program, where teachers will work closely with allied professionals to effectively address children’s physical, intellectual, emotional and sensory needs.
“The information gained from this program will be used by the Junior School teachers to adapt programs for the range of needs, in preparation for entry to Kindergarten class,” Head of College, Mrs Efrosini Stefanou-Haag, said.
“A buddy system between Kinder Minus One children and Year 5 students, and going to church as part of the school’s ethos, will also enhance the child’s experience.”
Classes of approximately 25 children will be educated by a fully qualified classroom teacher and teacher’s aide, who will use learning activities guided by the Early Stage One outcomes of the New South Wales Curriculum.
Children take part in a science lesson at St Spyridon College. Photo provided by: St Spyridon College
“Our Centre will work with the children to develop all the necessary reading, writing, speaking and comprehension skills which will help them have a successful start to formal school,” Mrs Stefanou-Haag said.
“As a Greek Orthodox College, the children will also be introduced to Jesus and His Church, and will learn simple prayers, hymns and traditions.”
When asked about the Centre’s philosophy, Mrs Stefanou-Haag said it is all about seeing ‘the treasure within’ children and following the Reggio approach of early childhood philosopher, Loris Malaguzzi.
Children have fun in an art class. Photo provided by St Spyridon College.
According to Loris Malaguzzi, the space in which children learn is the third teacher as it has the potential to not only ‘promote pleasant relationships among people of different ages,’ but it also ‘sparks all kinds of social, affective and cognitive learning.’
It is for this reason that the new Kinder Minus One “Learning Edge Centre” will be held in the college’s Doran House, which has a flexible learning area via operable walls, as well as a broad front verandah for outdoor activity under shelter.
“Every child is capable and powerful. Every child is driven to explore their world with curiosity and a formidable sense of wonder,” Mrs Stefanou-Haag said.
“Our Kinder Minus One staff will work together with other staff of the College to create an environment for children, and with children, that develops their natural attributes and builds their sense of identity, belonging and self worth.”
Centre enrolments will only be accepted for children aged 4-years-old (on or before May 31), and who will be commencing Kindergarten at St Spyridon College in 2022.
To submit your expression of interest and find out more about the new program, you can visit the college’s website here.
Greek technology firm, Convert Group, has unveiled a solution for one of the most important challenges of the COVID-19 retail hysteria. That is, the decreased availability and price fluctuations of coronavirus sensitive products, such as antiseptics, masks and food products, in online pharmacies and groceries.
The firm has launched its “eRetail Content” infrastructure globally, which will allow more manufacturers to get online and keep track of their “digital shelf presence.” In essence, many companies can now use their e-commerce platform to more easily monitor their product availability and ensure they are always fully-stocked amidst the COVID-19 epidemic.
According to Deputy CEO & Director of Product Innovation, Elena Chailazopoulou, the e-commerce platform will also limit the risk of ‘price gouging.’
Online shopping is on the rise amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Online purchases are skyrocketing around the world. Today, we are seeing uplifts in demand of more than 2.000 percent per week in COVID-19 related products such as antiseptics and masks, more than 100 percent in spaghetti, rice and hygiene products, and about 50 percent in food supplements and vitamins,” Ms Chailazopoulou said.
“That leads to stock-outs and price gouging which is extremely painful for the global communities in their fight against COVID-19.
“It’s for this reason we are extremely proud to be offering our proven technology to manufacturers around the world who want to monitor their digital presence, product availability and sell-out pricing.”
Convert Group’s e-commerce platforms have already been implemented with tremendous success in Italy, Spain and Greece, and they have partnerships with some big multi-national firms such as Dettol, Johnson & Johnson, and Colgate.
Milwaukee Bucks star, Giannis Antetokounmpo, has pledged $100,000 to the Fiserv Forum staff to help offset costs related to their loss of earnings during the NBA season hiatus.
“It’s bigger than basketball!” Antetokounmpo wrote in a post on his personal Twitter page.
“And during this tough time I want to help the people that make my life, my family’s lives and my teammates lives easier… We can get through this together.”
It’s bigger than basketball! And during this tough time I want to help the people that make my life, my family’s lives and my teammates lives easier. Me and my family pledge to donate $100,000 to the Fiserv Forum staff. We can get through this together! 🙏🏽
Following Antetokounmpo’s pledge, Bucks Senior Vice-President, Alex Lasry, said the team would match his donation.
“As usual, we follow our leader. Everyone at Fiserv Forum is part of our family, so the Bucks organization will match Giannis’ contribution as we all try to get thru this…and we will together,” Mr Lasry explained on Twitter.
Later speaking to Channel Fox 6, Mr Lasry added that the decision to donate ‘was not being done for applause.’
“This is us trying to make a crappy situation a little bit better and trying to help those who, quite frankly, make this place run,” he said.
As usual, we follow our leader. Everyone at Fiserv Forum is part of our family, so the Bucks organization will match Giannis’ contribution as we all try to get thru this…and we will together! https://t.co/z9ou3i3w5T
These donations come less than a week after NBA Commissioner, Adam Silver, announced that the 2019/2020 season would be suspended indefinitely due to the coronavirus outbreak in North America.
Among those worst affected by the suspension are arena workers, including those at Fiserv Forum.
The Greek government has today decided to suspend services in all areas of any religion or dogma until March 30.
Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis made the announcement via a post on Twitter that churches will remain open only for individual prayer.
Με απόφαση της κυβέρνησης αναστέλλονται οι λειτουργίες σε όλους τους χώρους θρησκευτικής λατρείας κάθε δόγματος και θρησκείας. Εκκλησίες παραμένουν ανοικτές μόνο για ατομική προσευχή. Η προστασία της δημόσιας υγείας επιβάλλει ξεκάθαρες αποφάσεις.
“The protection of public health requires clear decisions,” the Greek Prime Minister wrote.
His decision came minutes after the Holy Synod, the ruling body of Greece’s Orthodox Church, decided to suspend all daily worship services except Sunday Divine Liturgies, which will be held as usual between 7 and 8 o’clock in the morning.
Weddings and baptisms were also suspended by the Holy Synod for the next several weeks.
“If absolutely necessary, they will take place under strict limited number of persons,” the Holy Synod wrote in a statement released Monday afternoon.
“Funerals will take place only in restricted family circles, memorial services to be conducted with a restricted number of people at the grave of the deceased.”
No word yet on whether these decisions will be impacted and changed by the Prime Minister’s suspension of all religious services.
All non-essential travel to the European Union will be blocked in an attempt to prevent the coronavirus pandemic from further spreading across Europe.
European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, announced the shock crackdown on Monday and said anyone not from the EU’s 27 member countries would be denied entry unless they are long-term residents, family members of EU nationals, diplomats or essential workers like doctors.
“We know that everything which reduces social interaction also reduces the speed of the spread of the virus. The less travel, the more we can contain the virus,” she said.
The unprecedented ban, which will likely be approved on Tuesday, will last for 30 days initially and is expected to impact millions of tourists who travel to European countries over the summer holidays.
The @EU_Commission presents guidelines on border measures & proposes:
1⃣Green lanes/fast lanes giving priority to essential transport to keep the mobility sector going & ensure economic continuity
In a tweet following her announcement, Ms von der Leyen said the plan would not affect crucial trade flows and EU residents would be able to continue travelling from one country to another.
“Fast lanes will give priority to essential transport to keep the mobility sector going and ensure economic continuity,” she wrote.
“Temporary travel restrictions should be in place for an initial period of 30 days, but can be prolonged as necessary.”
The move comes after several EU and Schengen Area Member Countries including Greece, Germany, Spain, Italy and Estonia, introduced border checks and mandatory quarantine periods of their own.
The Hellenic Police (ELAS) has arrested a total of 127 people across Greece for violating strict measures introduced by the government in a bid to curb the spread of the coronavirus.
According to ELAS, the arrests pertained to owners or managers of hair salons, cafes, restaurants and other food retail outlets, the operation of which have been temporarily suspended.
“There were 48 arrests in Attica, 25 in western Greece, 10 in Thessaly, seven in eastern Macedonia and Thrace, seven in the southern Aegean, five in western Macedonia, five in central Macedonia, five on Crete, four in the Peloponnese, three in Thessaloniki, three in other parts of mainland Greece, two in Epirus, two in the northern Aegean and one in the area of the Ionian islands,” a spokesperson for the ELAS said.
“We received more than 150 calls by citizens filing complaints about businesses defying the measures from the morning until 2pm.”
Some restaurants are following the new measures to combat coronavirus. Source: AP Photo / Thanassis Stavrakis.
The Greek government has decided to shut down these commercial stores in addition to schools, cinemas, bars and restaurants, after the country reported 331 coronavirus cases and four deaths.
A strict 14-day quarantine period for people who enter Greek territory has also been enforced, with authorities fearing the number of coronavirus cases in Greece will grow dramatically in the next month.
“As Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis has repeatedly pointed out, the difficult times are still ahead of us. Next month will be very tough. Seriousness, accountability and restraint will be needed,” Greek government spokeswoman, Aristotelia Peloni, said on Monday.
“We urge citizens on a daily basis to strictly comply with the new measures, as well as faithfully follow the advice of experts.”
His Eminence Archbishop Makarios released a statement on Monday detailing the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Australia’s response to the recent coronavirus epidemic and the steps they are taking to ensure peoples safety.
The statements main point of attention is that despite it being a time of Lent and worship for the church, His Eminence declares that people should avoid gathering in large numbers for church service.
“…We advise our faithful, during this critical time, not to attend any events where many people gather, including church services,” Mr. Makarios suggests.
Despite this, Archbishop Makarios assures members of the Greek Orthodox Church in Australia that, “up until now in the history of our Church there have never been any cases where an epidemic of infectious disease has been transmitted through Holy Communion.“
The church also states that it recognises the suggestions made by scientists as information is released regarding the virus, and encourage people to listen to their health professionals.
“What we must emphasise, however, is that according to scientists, the transmission of the virus occurs when we are in close contact with a person who is infected,” the statement explains.
“Therefore, when someone is in Church, even if they have not received Holy Communion, they are in serious danger of contracting the disease and, at the same time, of transmitting this virus to their close family members as well as to other people around them.”
Archbishop also sent a request to priests during this time, asking them not to give their hand to be kissed, even when they hand out the antidoron.
A Greek Orthodox faithful kisses an icon of Jesus Christ at the Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens April 7, 2015. Orthodox believers will celebrate Easter on April 12. REUTERS/Alkis Konstantinidis
“If a person carrying the virus kisses the priest’s hand and other faithful follow, then the hand will become a source of infection and the means of transmission of the virus and, instead of giving a blessing it will offer great pain,” Makarios states.
As a final message in his statement to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese community, His Eminence prays for the eventual finding of a cure for this deadly disease.
“I am certain that all of us will increase our prayers to God so that a cure can be quickly found for this trial that has beset our planet. Please be assured that in cooperation with our clergy and the governing authorities of this nation, we are closely monitoring the situation and, if there are any changes, we will communicate these with you,” His Eminence assures in his statement.
The full statement made by Archbishop Makarios is available below:
Venerable Brother fellow Bishops and my beloved children,
Given the worldwide concern, fear and panic that is prevailing upon all humanity due to Covid-19 (Corona-virus), but also the recent local outbreaks and manifestation in Australia, and taking into consideration the inspired Communiqué of the Holy and Sacred Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate on this matter, together with the directives of the Australian Government, I paternally urge everyone to comply with the following guidelines:
Since many Christians are asking if the virus is transmitted through Holy Communion, I responsibly assure every faithful person that up until now in the history of our Church there have never been any cases where an epidemic of infectious disease has been transmitted through Holy Communion.
However, the Holy Archdiocese of Australia understands the reservations and insecurities of some people, who refrain from receiving Holy Communion out of a fear that this will cause the transmission of the virus. All those who abstain from receiving Holy Communion during this period of crisis, are certainly not considered to be indifferent to, or opponents of, the faith and the Church. We understand their position and do not desire that, under any circumstances, they fill their conscience with feelings of guilt. Besides, the spiritual life is about freedom without force, it leads to internal joy and peace of the soul only when it has nothing to do with situations that give rise to coercion and pressure.
What we must emphasise, however, is that according to scientists, the transmission of the virus occurs when we are in close contact with a person who is infected. Therefore, when someone is in Church, even if they have not received Holy Communion, they are in serious danger of contracting the disease and, at the same time, of transmitting this virus to their close family members as well as to other people around them.
For this reason, we advise our faithful, during this critical time, not to attend any events where many people gather, including church services. This measure ensures that the entire community remains safe and protected. This guideline is directed to all people; to those who are older and those who are younger and particularly to vulnerable groups of people who constitute a significant portion of our churchgoers.
Turning to our priests and the Committees of the larger parishes that gather more than 500 people during the Holy Services, I urge you not to hesitate to close the doors of Churches before this maximum number is reached. On the part of the Archdiocese, this will not cause any type of displeasure or sanction. This is the directive of the Australian Government and I urge our God-loving bishops and priests to respect this with complete sacredness.
Amongst other things, I ask our priests not to give their hand to be kissed even when they hand out the antidoron. If a person carrying the virus kisses the priest’s hand and other faithful follow, then the hand will become a source of infection and the means of transmission of the virus and, instead of giving a blessing it will offer great pain. This measure concerns not only the protection of the priest himself, but also, and more so, the protection of the faithful. On this matter, we received the advice of specialist doctors who urge us not to leave the antidoron on a table for each person to take by themselves. The many hands which will touch the antiodoron cannot ensure conditions that will maintain health. For this reason, according to the specialists, because it is safer for the antidoron to be distributed by one person, we ask priests to assume this responsibility, but, as we have already clarified, without the kissing of the hand.
Within the same spirit, I urge and plead with our faithful to restrict the number of people participating in Sacraments and funerals. They are to occur only with close and immediate family members. As for the Services of Holy Week, specific instructions will be issued several days earlier, according to to the information that we will have at the time.
At the same time, I inform the people of our Church that from today and up until 3rd of April, the offices of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia in Sydney, as well as the other local Archdiocesan Districts, will operate from 10am until 12pm so that only necessary services can be given to the faithful. Moreover, all classes at St Andrew’s Theological College will be offered online. Our resident students were encouraged to return to their homes.
My dear friends in Christ,
When we overlook the dangers that result from such a pandemic disease affecting public health, either through our indifference or in the name of any religious conviction, then we are committing a deadly sin. God is not to be tested nor mocked. For this reason, I sincerely request that our gracious clergy and Christ-loving people rise to the occasion, on the one hand without fear and panic, but also with responsibility and ecclesial seriousness.
In this same spirit of responsibility and love towards our flock, I ask that you do not compare circumstances and measures of other Metropolitinates with our local Church. In Europe, for example, 3 Metropolitanates suspended all services within their Churches. This measure, however, arose as a result of regulations and measures of the State which did not only concern the Orthodox Church but also the Churches of other Christian denominations and religions. I urge the clergy and the Christ-loving people to have faith in the Government leaders and in our local Church, whose view is expressed through its Archbishop and the Press Office of the Holy Archdiocese of Australia.
The advice from scientists is that we can help Australia suppress the rapid spread of COVID-19 if we act immediately and quickly. We highly bless those who are working tirelessly to discover a cure, or who care for those who have been diagnosed with the virus. We also wholeheartedly thank all those who are following the recommendations of the authorities to help stem the spread of the virus.
I am certain that all of us will increase our prayers to God so that a cure can be quickly found for this trial that has beset our planet. Please be assured that in cooperation with our clergy and the governing authorities of this nation, we are closely monitoring the situation and, if there are any changes, we will communicate these with you.
I thank and congratulate everybody for their understanding and cooperation and I pray that we have a good remainder of Holy and Great Lent.
With much love in Christ and with fervent paternal prayers
