UEFA Champions League final in tatters as UK put Turkey on Red List.
UEFA and the Football Association are in communications over moving the Champions League final from Istanbul to the UK after Turkey was put on the country’s travel “red list”
Manchester City and Chelsea booked a place for the May 29 masterpiece with respective triumphs over Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid this week.
On Thursday, UEFA said it remained devoted to staging the game in the Turkish capital, notwithstanding the country being under a coronavirus lockdown until May 17 and having the eighth-highest amount of active COVID-19 cases in the world.
UEFA also recommended operating with a reduced capacity at the Ataturk Stadium, although new government rules announced on Friday mean City and Chelsea supporters traveling would have to isolate in government-approved hotels upon their return.
Turkey’s red list status, which is effective from May 17 and will not be examined for three weeks, would also add notable dilemmas for players returning to the UK before joining up with their national teams for Euro 2020 and the Copa America unless exclusions can be secured.
Both international competitions begin on June 11, 13 days after the Champions League final.
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Speaking at a news conference on Friday, the UK’s secretary of state for transport Grant Shapps said:
“Fans should not travel to Turkey. The FA are in discussions with UEFA on this.
“We are very open to hosting the final but it is ultimately a decision for UEFA.”
Wembley is set to host the Championship play-off final on May 29, throwing uncertainty over any possibility of moving the Champions League final to England’s national stadium.
Sky Sports reported on Thursday that Aston Villa had volunteered to host the game at Villa Park, with Birmingham holding a fascination in being approximately equidistant between Manchester and London.
UEFA is understood to be taking time to consider the red list decision before deciding its next move.
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UEFA Champions League final in tatters as UK put Turkey on Red List.
