Mark Andura
On May 29, 6,000 fans from each club will be able to attend the Champions League final between Chelsea and Manchester City in Portugal.
Because of coronavirus restrictions, the game has been relocated from Turkey to Porto, Portugal.
Portugal is on England’s green list, which means that players and fans can attend without having to worry about being quarantined when they return home. Turkey has been put on a no-fly list.
Istanbul’s Ataturk Olympic Stadium was supposed to host the final.
“It was not a choice to deny supporters the opportunity to see the match in person, and I am pleased that this agreement has been reached,” said Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin.
Uefa, UK government officials, and the Football Association met to discuss hosting the game at Wembley Stadium, but no consensus on quarantine could be achieved.
“Fans have been without the opportunity to see their teams live for more than a year, and reaching a Champions League final is the pinnacle of club football,” Ceferin said.
“After the year that fans have had, it’s not fair that they don’t get to see their teams play in the season’s biggest game.”
The final will be held in Portugal for the second year in a row, with Lisbon hosting the postponed final stages of last season’s tournament, which Bayern Munich won.
The final capacity limit at Porto’s Estadio do Dragao has yet to be determined.
Ceferin agreed that the UK government’s decision to put Turkey on the travel blacklist was taken in good faith, but added that it also left the country vulnerable.
The final will be held in Portugal for the second year in a row, with Lisbon hosting the postponed final stages of last season’s tournament, which Bayern Munich won.
The final capacity limit at Porto’s Estadio do Dragao has yet to be determined.
Ceferin agreed that the UK government’s decision to put Turkey on the travel blacklist was taken in good faith, but added that it also left the country vulnerable.
“The challenges of moving the final are important, and the FA and the authorities made every effort to stage the match in England, and I would like to thank them for their efforts,” he added.
“The Turkish Football Federation and the Turkish authorities have always been dependable partners of Uefa, and I expect to be in Istanbul and Turkey for a Champions League final and several other events in the future.”
“I hope that the final will serve as a sign of hope for Europe’s reemergence from a tough time, and that the fans who travel to the game will once again be able to lend their voices to promoting this final as the best in club football.”
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings