CHAMPIONS LEAGUE, EUROPA IN ONE VENUE: GETAFE CHIEF

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SPOTS

MADRID:UEFA plans to complete this season’s Champions League and Europa competitions by playing all rounds from the quarter-finals onwards in one host city, according to Getafe president Angel Torres.

Both competitions were put on hold at the last-16 stage in March due to the pandemic, with the Champions League final in Istanbul and the Europa League showpiece in Gdansk also being postponed. “UEFA’S idea is to play the Champions League and Europa, starting from the quarter-finals, across one match in one venue although nothing has been confirmed yet,”

Torres told Cadena COPE on Friday. “They will come to a decision on June 17 (when the executive committee meets).”

UEFA said: “A working group has been set up with the participation of representatives from the leagues and clubs to examine calendar solutions and format options that would allow for the completion of the current season. A variety of options are being looked at and no decisions have been made at this stage.”

Getafe’s last-16 first leg match away to Inter Milan was postponed after fierce criticism led by Torres at the game going ahead in Italy, which at the time was the European epicentre of the pandemic.

Second-placed Manchester City banned from next season, subject to appeal. for Other teams in contention three remaining spots: Leicester City (53 points), Manchester Chelsea (48 points),

Wolves United (45 points),

(43

(43 points), Sheffield

(41 points), Tottenham points), points), Arsenal (40

Crystal Burnley (39 points),

Palace (39 points). Sheffield a and Arsenal have played others. game less than the

Brescia (16 points) and Spal (18 points) are in the bottom two places. Six more teams – Lecce (25 points), Genoa (25 points), Sampdoria (26 points), Torino (27 points), Udinese (28 points) and Fiorentina (30 points) will look to avoid the remaining relegation spot. Both Torino and Sampdoria have played a game less than the others.

After the top three, Atalanta are favourites to secure the last Champions League spot. They are three points ahead of fifth-placed Roma, who have played a game more.