Champions League final could be switched to Wembley or Lisbon
Wembley and Lisbon are being considered as options for the Champions League final as negotiations continue over moving the showpiece match from Istanbul.
A meeting was held on Monday between Uefa and the UK government over the location of the final, which is to be contested by Manchester City and Chelsea and due to be played on 29 May, but ended without conclusion. Government sources said discussions were ongoing however and a decision is expected within 48 hours.
The government placed Turkey on its travel red list last week, meaning fans cannot travel to the game, and are understood to prefer that the match be played at the national stadium.
Uefa was surprised by the red list decision last Friday and is reluctant to move from Istanbul having already switched last year’s final from the Turkish capital. It considers Lisbon a valid alternative venue, with Portugal on the UK green list for travel, meaning fans could attend without quarantine. Another consideration for the governing body is the ability for staff, media and sponsors to travel to the UK without quarantine. Sources suggest the government is reluctant to agree to the number of exemptions requested.
Prime minister Boris Johnson said at the weekend: “It would be brilliant to host [the final] here if we can” and that “with two English teams in the final, it would be a great shame if fans were unable to attend”.
Wembley is currently scheduled to host the Championship play-off final on 29 May– one of the most important fixtures in the Football League calendar. The EFL is understood not to want to move the match, but would enter into discussions if requested by Uefa.
A final consideration is the capacity. Uefa had been expecting a crowd of 25,000 at the Ataturk Stadium, while
under rules expected to be confirmed by Johnson on Monday, only 10,000 would be allowed into Wembley.
An exemption for a crowd of 25,000 might have to be agreed if the final was to be moved to London, and there is speculation the EFL would also expect a crowd of 25,000 to be allowed into the play-off final were it be forced to change.
Meanwhile, the Prime Minister has confirmed sporting venues across England will be able to welcome back spectators from next Monday. Boris Johnson said at a press conference on Monday afternoon that the Government was proceeding with its plan to take the third step in its coronavirus recovery road map, first set out on 22 February. “We’ll unlock the turnstiles of our sports stadia subject to capacity limits,” Johnson said in his opening speech as he detailed the further easing of lockdown in England.
It means larger seated outdoor venues will be able to admit up to 10,000 spectators from next week. The Premier League pushed its penultimate round of matches back to 18 and 19 May so that every club would be able to play one game in front of supporters before the end of the season on 23 May. The league confirmed last week that the matches will be open to home supporters only.
For smaller outdoor venues capacities will be capped at 4,000 or 50%, whichever is the lowest. The indoor venue cap will be 1,000 or 50%, whichever is the lowest. The decision to ease restrictions comes as the country continues to benefit from an accelerating vaccination programme and a fall in deaths and hospitalisations related to Covid-19.
The Government’s announcement is a key milestone for clubs and associations which rely on spectators attending live events for much of their revenue.