UEFA president says Champions League must finish by August 3

Photo by Lukas Schulze - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images

Football across Europe remains suspended

UEFA president Aleksandar Ceferin has been talking on German television about how the 2019-20 season can finish and says the Champions League must be wrapped up by August 3.

Football across Europe has been put on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic and it’s still impossible to say when competitions will be able to resume.

Ceferin says it’s possible the Champions League and Europa League could be concluded by using a play-off system but also warned Europe’s top competitions must be finished by August.

“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.

“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.

“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.”

Source | Football Italia

There does seem to be a desire to finish the season across Europe, although the Belgian Pro League is set to be cancelled because of coronavirus.

Meanwhile, Barcelona have been advised to keep the Camp Nou closed until the autumn to avoid a second wave of coronavirus infections.

Source: barcablaugranes.com