Wembley is set to have increased spectator limits for the semi-final and final ©Getty Images

The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed concerns over the easing of COVID-19 restrictions in countries which are hosting matches at the UEFA European Championship.

The group stage of the pan-European tournament concluded yesterday, with matches staged across 11 host cities.

Games have been held with varying capacities amid local restrictions.

The Puskás Aréna in Budapest is the only venue at the delayed Euro 2020 to be operating at full capacity.

The United Kingdom Government announced earlier this week that 60,000 spectators would be permitted to attend the semi-finals and final of the tournament at Wembley Stadium, which has a capacity of 90,000.

Fans would be expected to adhere to COVID-19 protocols as the event, part of the country's ongoing events research programme.

Denmark has increased the permitted attendance at the Parken Stadium in Copenhagen from 16,000 to 25,000, with the limit in place for their matches against Belgium and Russia.

The stadium has a capacity of 38,095.

The WHO has expressed concerns over the relaxation of restrictions while attendances rise.

Three case of the Delta COVID-19 variant were reported from spectators in Denmark ©Getty Images
Three case of the Delta COVID-19 variant were reported from spectators in Denmark ©Getty Images

"WHO is concerned about easing of restrictions in some of the host countries," Robb Butler, an executive director at WHO's Regional Office for Europe, told Agence-France Presse.

"A few of the stadiums hosting the tournament are now increasing the number of spectators allowed.

"Learning from experience, we must act fast on signals showing increasing cases.

"Expanding testing and sequencing; stepping up contact tracing; and building very high vaccine uptake fast among those vulnerable and most at risk”.

The Danish Agency for Patient Safety has reportedly confirmed 29 cases of COVID-19 linked to Denmark’s three group matches.

Three cases were found to have been the Delta coronavirus variant, which is considered more transmissible.

The individuals and their close contacts have been isolated.

The knock-out phase of Euro 2020 is due to begin on Saturday (June 26).