Boris Johnson is to allow footballing VIPs a free covid pass into the UK for the final four Euro 2020 matches at Wembley which could be played in front of crowds of at least 40,000 people.

Wembley is hosting several international matches in the Euro2020 championship, including the final on 11 July.

Despite warnings for Scotland fans to stay away from the capital for tonight’s historic clash with England and limits on the number of fans in the ground, the UK government is preparing to open the gates wider for the later stages of the competition.

Under the plans, thousands of VIPs – including senior UEFA and FIFA officials, politicians, sponsors and broadcasters – could be allowed into the UK without having to quarantine.

The Prime Minister confirmed discussions with European football’s governing body were being held over the Euro 2020 semi-finals and final, due to be held at London’s Wembley Stadium next month.

Johnson said “sensible accommodations” can be made amid government talks with UEFA over whether VIPs and foreign fans will get special access for the key matches.

According to reports UEFA has prepared a “contingency plan” to relocate the showpiece matches to Hungary, where COVID rules are more relaxed, should a deal not be struck.

Asked if the government would allow quarantine exemptions for UEFA VIPs and fans, Johnson said: “We’ll do what we have to do to keep the country safe from covid, that’s obviously going to be our priority.”

He added: “We’ll be talking to Uefa about what they want and see if we can make some sensible accommodations.”

The government confirmed the final stage matches will be part of the Government’s Events Research Programme (ERP) which has been running since April and has been used to test various ways to get fans back into venues without the need for social distancing.

European football’s governing body released a statement on Friday saying it was “confident” the final week would be held in London but added “there was always a contingency plan”.

The statement set out how UEFA thought it might be possible to admit overseas spectators for the final week, using a method similar to that deployed at last month’s Champions League final in Portugal where fans flew in and out within 24 hours.

UEFA is understood to be looking for a slightly different arrangement for VIPs and dignitaries – a ‘bubble to bubble’ concept similar to that in place for overseas media where individuals would travel only between designated venues such as the airport, their hotel and a match venue.