Europe’s national teams will emerge from a 10-month hiatus as the second edition of the Uefa Nations League kicks off this week, still under the shadow the Covid-19 pandemic which brought football to a standstill earlier this year. Uefa says that matches will go ahead as long as both teams have at least 13 players available. However, teams who are not able to field a side could forfeit the match, the final decision resting with Uefa’s disciplinary committee. The Nations League, intended to replace lukewarm friendlies, features all 55 of Europe’s national teams divided into four divisions — Leagues A to D — that are themselves split into four groups. The competition could also provide a back door to the 2022 World Cup as two of the 12 places in the European playoffs will be reserved for teams from the Nations League.

Source: Daily Nation September 01, 2020 13:18 UTC