BORIS TO BLOCK MOVING FINAL TO WEMBLEY

fans can attend. UEFA want to switch the game to England, but Portugal is on standby to provide the venue should the Prime Minister insist on those involved in the game facing the same quarantine rules as for any other traveller arriving in this country.

Talks have taken place between UEFA and the Government – who have publicly supported the move to Wembley – to allow those involved in setting up and broadcasting the match to circumvent the strict rules and enter the country without quarantine.

Sources say that although approval would be given for all those involved directly in the match, including broadcasters, UEFA’s request for 2,000 VIP, sponsors and other non-essential guests was “quite challenging” and a “stumbling block” to reaching an agreement.

The Government fears such a large number of travellers, many from countries with higher Covid rates than the UK, would be too risky and that no exemption had been given to public health rules on such a scale during the pandemic. Portugal is on the Government’s green list, allowing free movement without quarantine restrictions, which would mean fans could travel to the game, with Porto prepared to host it.

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin insisted the showpiece event should be moved from Istanbul and given back to the fans. The decision to put Turkey on Britain’s red list of countries meant supporters were being told not to travel and would have had to isolate for 14 days on their return from the May 29 final.

The EFL, who were due to hold their Championship play-off final at Wembley on the same day, have already agreed to step aside and play elsewhere.

But UEFA have had to set a 24-hour deadline on those quarantine waivers in order to get on with the ticketing process. Realistically, it would have meant restricting 4,000 tickets on sale for each of City and Chelsea just to local people.

However, easing on restrictions from Monday will allow some fans back into Premier League games. “It will be brilliant to see fans back,” said Premier League chief executive Richard Masters.