April 30 – European governing body UEFA has said that the Champions League final in Istanbul will go ahead as planned at the end of May despite Turkey’s recent spike in coronavirus cases.
Turkey entered their first full lockdown last night to curb rising coronavirus numbers, but UEFA still expects its showpiece club match to be played in front of a limited number of fans in Istanbul on May 29. Last season, the final had to be moved from the Turkish capital to Lisbon because of the global health pandemic.
“The Champions League final will take place in Istanbul on May 29 with a limited number of spectators and we are assured that the temporary lockdown which is in force until May 17 should not have any impact on the match,” UEFA wrote in a statement to the PA news agency.
“UEFA will continue to work closely with the Turkish Football Federation and the local and national authorities to stage the match safely.
“Further information regarding the capacity for the match and ticketing details will be communicated soon.”
The final could be an all-English affair after Manchester City defeated Paris Saint-Germain 2-1 in the first leg of their last-four encounter in the French capital. Chelsea held Real Madrid to a 1-1 draw in the other semi-final. The return legs will take place next week in London and Manchester. In 2019, Liverpool defeated Tottenham 2-0 in an all-English final.
Contact the writer of this story, Samindra Kunti, at moc.l1713495448labto1713495448ofdlr1713495448owedi1713495448sni@o1713495448fni1713495448