Sunderland Councillor calls for Euro 2021 games to be played at Stadium of Light

A Sunderland Councillor has called on UEFA to consider playing some Euro 2021 matches at the Stadium of Light.

Councillor Stephen O’Brien has written to UEFA, the FA and the Government’s Culture, Media and Sport Secretary Oliver Dowden urging them to bring games to Sunderland to help the city’s economy in the wake of coronavirus.

The delayed Euro 2020 tournament is now scheduled to take place in 2021, with three England games, a last 16 match, both semi-finals and the final due to be hosted at Wembley.

The Liberal Democrat Councillor, and Black Cats supporter, said: “Rescheduling the Euro 2020 fixtures for next summer is a fantastic opportunity to spread opportunity across the country and boost our local economy here in Sunderland by safely and responsibly hosting matches at the Stadium of Light, rather than having everything being held in London.

We have a fantastic Stadium in Sunderland. It would be a missed opportunity if UEFA didn’t decide to host matches on Wearside.

He added: “I hope that this campaign will receive support from residents, the club itself and politicians from all parties in the city.

“The economic benefits would be enormous and it would be great to have the eyes of the country and the world on Sunderland.”

Euro 2020 was supposed to have taken place this summer but was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

In a break from tradition, the tournament’s matches will be played across a number of countries.