Report: UEFA considering Champions League mini-tournament in neutral city
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UEFA is considering staging a mini-tournament in a neutral hub city to complete the 2019-20 Champions League campaign, sources told ESPN’s Mark Ogden.
Lisbon is reportedly a strong contender to host all remaining matches because it has two modern stadiums – Benfica’s Estadio da Luz and Sporting CP’s Estadio Jose Alvalade – within close proximity of each other. With no Portuguese teams left in the Champions League, Lisbon can be considered neutral territory.
Portugal is also reporting fewer coronavirus cases than most European countries.
Frankfurt is another option reportedly under consideration. Eintracht Frankfurt’s Commerzbank Arena would serve as the main venue.
It was reported in May that UEFA will relocate this year’s final from Istanbul due to concerns about the coronavirus in Turkey, though sources told Ogden the city is still being considered as a potential venue. Turkey has recorded 4,692 related deaths and more than 170,000 confirmed cases so far.
UEFA is expected to make a decision when its executive committee next meets on June 17.
The Champions League was suspended in the middle of the round of 16 due to the global health crisis. Lyon currently lead Juventus 1-0 on aggregate, Manchester City hold a 2-1 advantage over Real Madrid, Barcelona and Napoli are tied 1-1, and Bayern Munich boast a 3-0 lead over Chelsea.
