Manchester City vs Chelsea Champions League final moved from Istanbul to Porto due to Covid-19 risks

ByAlexander Netherton

Updated 13/05/2021 at 11:04 GMT

The UK government's offer to host the Champions League final has been rejected in favour of giving the May 29 event to FC Porto's Estadio do Dragao. UEFA have confirmed that the final will be switched to Portugal, allowing British fans the chance to visit for the final without having to undergo quarantine restrictions upon their return.

The Champions League final between Manchester City and Chelsea has been moved from Istanbul to Porto's Estadio do Dragao, UEFA have confirmed.

The UK government had put forward its services to UEFA but Porto have now been chosen for the May 29 final, which will have capacity for 6,000 fans each from both sides.

The government had not been able to give UEFA quarantine exemptions for VIP, staff members and other corporate sponsors, nor raise the spectator capacity to the required level.

Premier League

Man Utd confirm appointment of Wilcox as technical director

17 hours ago

• Manchester United target £77m Sancho and five more - Paper Round
• Arsenal beat Chelsea to keep the Premier League interesting - The Warm-Up
• Smith Rowe on target as Arsenal beat Chelsea

"I think we can all agree that we hope never to experience a year like the one we have just endured," said UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin.

Fans have had to suffer more than twelve months without the ability to see their teams live and reaching a Champions League final is the pinnacle of club football.

"To deprive those supporters of the chance to see the match in person was not an option and I am delighted that this compromise has been found," he added.

Istanbul had been set to put on the game, but Turkey is on the UK's travel red list, as well as being under lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic.

As Portugal is on the green list, there are no quarantine requirements for returning UK visitors to the country, making it a workable venue.

Istanbul is set to host the 2023 final as a result of the switch.

Atletico rush to tie down United, PSG and Bayern target - Euro Papers

Premier League

'Not the issue' - Ten Hag reacts to questions about 'fantastic footballer' Sancho

a day ago

Transfers

Arsenal draw up summer transfer shortlist after Bayern defeat - Paper Round

Yesterday at 06:54

Champions League

Coefficient rankings: Premier League hopes in tatters as Italy secures extra spot

Yesterday at 22:53