Champions League final: UEFA finalising plans for Porto’s Estadio do Dragao stadium to be host
UEFA is finalising plans with Portugal to act as replacement host for the all-English Champions League final between Chelsea and Manchester City.
The UEFA showpiece is set to be moved from Istanbul to Portugal just like last year due to pandemic issues in Turkey, according to The Associated Press.
The 50,000-capacity Estadio do Dragao in Porto has been lined up as the venue for the May 29 final after talks with the British government over the use of Wembley Stadium stalled.
While disappointed that Wembley is not set to host the final, fans say what they want now is a decision, so they can make plans for the match
It’s looking likely Manchester City will meet Chelsea in Porto for the Champions League final
There were hopes Chelsea and City could meet at Wembley for the all-English game on May 29
UEFA has been unable to secure the quarantine exemptions required for 2,000 VIPs and media to be able to fly into London for the climax of its biggest competition, despite the government talking up trying to bring the game to Wembley.
Kevin Parker, the general secretary of the Manchester City Supporters Club, told the Telegraph: ‘I think most City fans are at the point now where they don’t really care where the final is.
‘They just want to know where it’s going to be so that they can make arrangements, that they can plan in the hope that they can get some tickets and get there.
‘People have got work to think about; they’ve got cost issues to think about. It’s just not fair, really.’
And Tim Rolls, the former chairman of the Chelsea Supporters’ Trust, added: ‘It is quite stressful because we just don’t know..
City fans celebrate their team’s victory over Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League
Chelsea fans celebrate outside the ground after beating Real Madrid 2-0 in their semi-final
While it would have been more ideal for the thousands of English fans to play the game on home soil, Portugal is at least joining England´s ‘green list’ of 12 low-risk territories where people aren’t required to quarantine upon their return from next Monday.
Portugal will also have to lift its current block on tourists from Britain to allow an influx of fans, and guarantee UEFA can secure entry for the personnel required.
Playing the game with fans and sponsor guests is crucial for UEFA after having to stage last season’s final in Lisbon, which Bayern Munich won, without spectators being allowed due to Portugal’s coronavirus restrictions that are now being eased.
It was Turkey being added to England’s ‘red list’ of countries with severe coronavirus outbreaks that complicated playing the final in Istanbul.
Fans would have been unable to leave England to travel to the game and most people returning would have been required to enter 10 days of mandatory hotel isolation.
But Porto’s 59,000 seater Estadio do Dragao now appears likely to host the showpiece event
Pep Guardiola is eyeing City’s first ever Champions League win and his first in 10 years
Chelsea booked their place in the final by overcoming Real Madrid in the semis, while Premier League champions City defeated French giants PSG.
City manager Pep Guardiola is bidding for his first Champions League title in 10 years while for his team, this is their first appearance in the final of Europe’s elite club competition.
Chelsea won the tournament back in 2012, defeating Bayern Munich on penalties.
The weekend after they both reached the final, City and Chelsea met in the Premier League with Thomas Tuchel’s side winning 2-1 at the Etihad stadium.
