UEFA considers 'all options' for Champions League format
30 May, 2020
UEFA is studying "all the options" for the format of the season's interrupted Champions League, amid reports on Friday that European football's governing body is considering moving the final from its scheduled venue in Istanbul.
The Turkish city was because of host the ultimate this Saturday at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium, but the tournament was suspended in mid-March at the last-16 stage because of the coronavirus pandemic.
UEFA still hopes to conclude the competition by the finish of August, but with major changes to the format likely and games set to be played nowadays.
"We are considering all the options about the calendar and the format of your competition in the working group relating to the clubs, leagues and national associations," a UEFA spokesman told AFP.
"No decision has been taken yet but there must be at the Executive Committee meeting on June 17."
According to a UEFA document seen by AFP, August 29 could be chosen as the brand new date for the final.
THE BRAND NEW York Times reported Friday that the final will be moved from Turkey but that Istanbul could possibly be chosen as host of another final, when it is safe for fans to visit from abroad in large numbers.
Turkey, a country of 83 million, has up to now recorded 4,461 coronavirus-related deaths and nearly 161,000 confirmed cases.
The country happens to be along the way of loosening lockdown measures introduced to prevent the spread of the virus and its domestic football season is defined to resume on June 12.
Changes may be designed to the format of the Europa League, the ultimate which was because of be played in the Polish city of Gdansk this week.
Source: www.daily-sun.com
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