The European football governing body UEFA will convene a stakeholder's meeting next Tuesday during which they will discuss the possibility of postponing Euro 2020 by a year.

UEFA said in a statement on Thursday that Euro 2020 would be part of discussions about "European football's response to the outbreak" when a video conference is held on Tuesday involving the 55 member associations, a representative of players union FIFPro and the boards of the European Club Association and the European Leagues.

UEFA said the talks were "in the light of the ongoing developments in the spread of COVID-19 across Europe and the changing analysis of the World Health Organization."

The government body is assessing all options but delaying Euro 2020 by a year is the main option now being explored at UEFA, a person with knowledge of the situation told The Associated Press.

Up to this week, UEFA has been insisting publicly that the 24-team tournament would go ahead as planned. The spread of COVID-19, however, has shaped the competition up to be the most challenging Euros ever stage by UEFA.

Twelve stadiums in 12 different nations will be used across the continent. Rome is due to host the opening match between Italy and Turkey on 12 June, with Wembley hosting seven matches including the final on July 12.

UEFA's position is further complicated by the already congested calendar following the Italian and Spanish leagues' decisions to suspend action. In comparison with a complete shutdown of European football this summer, it will be financially wise to delay this summer's European football championships in order to give domestic leagues and UEFA club competitions to complete seasons.

Also under discussion at the video conference will be how to resolve the fixture backlog in the Champions League and Europa League. One option drafted in the build-up to Tuesday's meeting by UEFA is to include having just one leg for the Champions League and Europa League quarter-finals and semi-finals this season.

UEFA has already postponed the remaining Champions League last-16 second legs that were scheduled for next week.

(with input from agencies)