Report: Portugal could host UCL final if England relocation fails
The British government has until Tuesday to produce the travel waivers that UEFA requires in order to move the Champions League final from Istanbul to London’s Wembley Stadium, according to Rob Harris of The Associated Press.
If UEFA’s demands aren’t satisfied, Harris reports the final between English clubs Chelsea and Manchester City could be played in Portugal instead.
UEFA set the deadline after failing to find a resolution during talks with the British government on Monday. The European football governing body reportedly wants guarantees that Champions League sponsors, guests, and media are exempted from quarantine rules when they arrive in England.
It’s not just about sponsors – it’s about UEFA wanting to meet contractual requirements including particularly broadcasters being allowed to fly in for the Champions League final at Wembley.
They ultimately provide the revenue the clubs benefit fromhttps://t.co/vtdV3rlEH8
— Rob Harris (@RobHarris) May 10, 2021
London is thought to be UEFA’s preferred relocation, but Porto is among alternatives if issues aren’t resolved.
The Champions League final is scheduled to take place in the Turkish capital on May 29, but concerns about travel restrictions have emerged due to a spike in COVID-19 cases in the country.
Turkey is on England’s “red list” of high-risk nations, while Portugal is on the “green list,” which is comprised of 12 low-risk countries where travelers would not be required to quarantine upon their return.
British Prime minister Boris Johnson spoke about the prospect of England hosting the final over the weekend, saying, according to Reuters, “It would be a great shame if fans were unable to attend.”
Britain will begin to ease lockdown restrictions next Monday – it’s understood 10,000 fans could be allowed at Wembley Stadium, according to Paul MacInnes of The Guardian.
However, the British government may have to consider allowing 25,000 fans – the same number that UEFA expected at the Ataturk Stadium in Istanbul – in order to ensure the match is played in London, per MacInnes.
Another potential obstacle surrounding a London relocation is that the Championship playoff final is currently scheduled to be played at Wembley on the same day. The English Football League will expect to be allowed a similar crowd of 25,000 at Wembley if it has to reschedule the Championship playoff final, MacInnes adds.
Before the all-English final was confirmed, UEFA insisted it was not considering relocating the showpiece match despite growing COVID-19 concerns in Turkey at the end of April.
Turkey’s lockdown is set to end on May 17.
