UEFA: ‘No Plan B’ for Champions League amid Lisbon virus concerns

LAUSANNE: UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin insists there is “no reason to prepare a Plan B” for the final eight of the Champions League in Lisbon despite Portuguese authorities reintroducing restrictions to curb the spread of coronavirus.

“I am confident that with the continued and constant collaboration between all stakeholders, we will conclude the season in a positive way in Lisbon. There is no need for a Plan B,” Ceferin said after a video-conference meeting with Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa and the head of the Portuguese Football Federation on Tuesday.

UEFA announced earlier this month that the latter stages of the Champions League would be staged exceptionally as a straight knockout competition from the quarter-finals onwards with all matches in Lisbon.

Earlier this month, Ceferin said UEFA was “assessing the situation, not week by week but day by day, and we will adapt when the time comes, if necessary”.

Portugal had not suffered to the same extent as other western European countries during the pandemic but last week Prime Minister Costa announced that some coronavirus restrictions would be reimposed in and around the capital to help control fresh outbreaks.

From Wednesday, 19 neighbourhoods on the northern edges of Lisbon will go back into lockdown.

Gatherings will be limited to a maximum of five people in these areas, compared to 10 people in the wider Lisbon area and 20 people across the rest of Portugal.

However, Costa is confident the Champions League will not be affected and said “all measures are being taken to ensure that we will host this tournament in a safe and secure manner”.

The final eight is due to begin with the first quarter-final on Aug 12, with the final scheduled for Aug 23. Matches will be played at Benfica’s Estadio da Luz and the nearby Estadio Jose Alvalade, home of Sporting.