Champions League final is set to be CANCELLED if it cannot be played before August 3, UEFA admit… as president Aleksander Ceferin confirms plans for one-legged knockout ties
- Aleksandar Ceferin says dates and times of games could shift if football resumes
- Ceferin is open to the idea of straight knockout ties to complete competition
- The UEFA president says health of public and players must come before football
UEFA has confirmed the Champions League final will be cancelled if the competition can’t be concluded by August 3.
Football across Europe has been suspended indefinitely as a result of the global coronavirus pandemic.
It’s still not known whether the 2019/20 season will be completed or cancelled across Europe, but UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has set a deadline for European competitions.
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin says August 3 is the latest possible date for European finals
Ceferin says Champions League will be cancelled if the final can’t be played by that deadline
Ceferin remains open to the idea of one-legged knockout ties to finish the tournament
Ceferin said to German television station, ZDF: ‘It must finish by August 3, both the Champions and Europa League.
‘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.’
Some reports have claimed that Europe’s two leading competitions could be decided by one-legged knockout ties and Ceferin admits alternative formats are possible.
He added: ‘We could play with the current system, or in a one-off match played on neutral turf. For now, it’s just an option to play with a final eight or final four.
Clubs could play one-legged knockout ties to accelerate the completion of competitions
‘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.’
Another challenge facing European competitions are restrictions in place over international travel between countries badly hit by the pandemic.
It is unlikely supporters would be allowed to travel abroad for games as they would normally do until the virus has been eradicated completely.
As a result, games would likely be played behind closed doors in the event European football resumes in time for the August 3 deadline.