Contenders braced for L1 play-off final twist - as game 'set to be moved'

The League One play-off final is set to be moved as Wembley prepares to host the UEFA Champions League final – according to reports.

The Times claim that the clash between Manchester City and Chelsea on Saturday, May 29 is set to be moved from Istanbul after concerns over the fact that Turkey was placed on England’s ‘red’ travel list.

This means that travellers back into the country from Turkey would be required to quarantine for ten days in a government-approved facility upon their return.

And while reports have suggested that players and staff would have been given an exemption, it is now being claimed that the final is set to be held at Wembley.

Speaking to Sky News on Sunday, government minister Michael Gove admitted that ‘delicate negotiations’ were ongoing over moving the final.

"My friend, my colleague, the culture secretary Oliver Dowden, is talking to people about this at the moment, and so I don't want to cut across that,” he said.

“But I'm sure that fans in the United Kingdom would dearly love to see the final played here in the United Kingdom.”

This decision would in turn have a knock-on effect for all three EFL play-off finals, which are set to take place from May 29 to May 31.

Sunderland are one of a quartet of teams vying for a place in the League One play-off final on May 30, with Lincoln City, Oxford United and Blackpool also in contention.

The Championship playoff final is currently scheduled for May 29, with the League Two final set for May 31.

But the EFL are now reportedly considering all options in regards to the trio of games – including arranging alternative venues or rearranging the fixtures to ensure that they can still be played at Wembley Stadium, the home of football.

However, this could prove a little tricky, given that the national stadium will begin hosting Euro 2020 games on June 13.

The Black Cats will begin their play-off campaign at Lincoln on Wednesday, May 19, with the second leg being held at the Stadium of Light on Saturday, May 22.

It is expected that some number of Sunderland fans will be able to attend the home leg.