Champions League final could be moved to Portugal due to Government and Uefa dispute

[ASFN Admin]

The Champions League final is in danger of being moved to Portugal instead of Wembley after the Government and Uefa failed to reach agreement on Monday over VIPs attending the game. As revealed by Telegraph Sport, talks have been taking place over switching the all-English clash between Manchester City and Chelsea from Istanbul to London after coronavirus-ravaged Turkey was put on the UK’s travel “red list”. Those talks have hit what sources say is a major “sticking point”, with Uefa wanting quarantine rules relaxed for around 2,000 VIPs – including those from its commercial and broadcast partners. Further discussions were planned on Tuesday but the Government seemed unlikely to back down, effectively forcing Uefa to choose between alienating supporters or compensating sponsors. Sources said agreements had been struck to relax quarantine for essential staff, as well as waive the cap of 10,000 on attendance at a major sporting event. But the impasse over VIPs saw Portugal, potentially Porto, emerge as a potential compromise option after it was put on the travel green list. It also emerged on Monday that the English Football League wants to keep its play-off finals at Wembley – and secure a 20,000-plus crowd for at least one of them – if the Champions League final is moved there. Telegraph Sport has been told the EFL believes a way could yet be found for the climaxes of both its and Uefa’s club seasons to take place at the national stadium, despite a current clash of dates.

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