Sunday, April 5, 2020

UEFA set 3 August deadline to finish Champions League and Europa League

Cristiano Ronaldo is pictured with the Uefa Champions League logo in the backdrop
The Champions League have a host of games still to play (Picture: Getty)

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has revealed the Champions League and Europa League must be finished by 3 August.

Football around the world has been suspended amid the coronavirus pandemic and UEFA were forced to halt their tournaments.

Both the Europa League and Champions League have last-16 round games still to play and there has been discussions about holding a mini tournament to finish the competitions.

Ceferin has now detailed several different options and confirmed a new deadline for the tournaments to be completed.

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‘It must finish by August 3, both the Champions League and Europa League,’ Ceferin told German broadcaster ZDF.

‘It is an extraordinary situation we are in, so we are flexible on dates and kick-off times.

‘If the crisis eases earlier, then we can start sooner.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola gives tactics to his players a Champions League game
City are one of the British sides still in the Champions League (Picture: Getty)

‘We could play with the current system, or in one-off matches played on neutral turf.

‘For now, it’s just an option to play with a final eight or final four.

‘The only wrong decision we could make now would be to play in a way that puts the health and safety of players, fans and referees at risk.

‘However, if we are in secure conditions, then I don’t see the problem.’

UEFA have already been forced to cancel this summer’s European Championships, which will now take place next year.

The Premier League intend to play their postponed games during the summer, which could lead to a complicated and congested fixture list for clubs.

But it is unclear when the UK might lift their lockdown, as the death toll passes 4,000.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock warned on Sunday that exercising outdoors will be banned if the public continue to ignore lockdown rules.

MORE: UEFA president dismisses idea of handing Liverpool the Premier League title now

MORE: UEFA cancels Euro 2020 with tournament moved to next year

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