UEFA officials are due to hold key talks with the UK Government on Monday about moving the Champions League final to Wembley.
The Ataturk Stadium in Istanbul is due to host the Champions League final on May 29 but pressure is mounting for the venue to be changed after the UK government urged fans not to travel for the fixture later this month and placed Turkey on its ‘red’ list of at-risk countries.
Restrictions on foreign travel are set to be relaxed on May 17, but Turkey was added to the UK government’s list of ‘red’ countries this week.
It is claimed an agreement could be in place within the next 24 hours to see Manchester City vs Chelsea moved from the current venue of Istanbul.
UEFA had said their plans to stage the final in Turkey would go ahead, but that plan was soon in tatters as Turkey was placed on the UK’s red list over COVID-19 concerns, meaning the 8,000 ticket holders from City and Chelsea would not be able to travel.
UEFA will seek assurances from the Government that the requirement to quarantine on arrival in the UK for around 1,000 UEFA staff and broadcasters will be waived to put on the final in London.
If granted, Chelsea’s clash with Manchester City on May 29 would take place in London in front of 22,500 fans.
A Wembley final would have significant ramifications for the EFL, though, with the Championship play-off final scheduled for the same day.
It is claimed the play-off could be pushed back 24 hours to keep the game at the Home of Football, although it has been suggested other venues could host it – including Aston Villa’s Villa Park.
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