UEFA consider Champions League mini-tournament and both European finals for August
Posted Friday, April 17, 2020 by Dailystar.co.uk
UEFA officials are determined to finish the 2019/20 Champions League and Europa League campaigns, with an August mini-tournament potentially their best way of doing so
UEFA chiefs could complete the 2019/20 Champions League campaign by turning it a mini-tournament in August.
All European competitions have been put on hold amid the coronavirus pandemic, with Champions League and Europa League football postponed indefinitely.
Nevertheless, the continent’s governing body are set to discuss their options during three crucial meetings next week - and their elite-level club tournament is at the top of the agenda.
According to the Mirror, they are determined to finish the current Champions League and Europa League campaigns instead of rendering them null and void.
But there is an acceptance that matches may have to come after domestic seasons are wrapped up.
UEFA chiefs are considering turning the Champions League into a mini-tournament in August (Image: ANP/AFP via Getty Images)
It is believed UEFA officials are considering a mini-tournament that would be played in one venue - potentially in Istanbul, which is where the final was originally due to take place on May 30.
There are still four last-16 ties which need to be decided, however, which complicates matters.
Chelsea are due to go away to Bayern Munich, while Manchester City are scheduled to host Real Madrid.
But a number of last-16 ties still need to be decided, such as Bayern Munich vs Chelsea (Image: Action Images via Reuters)
Barcelona vs Napoli and Juventus vs Lyon are the two other last-16 second legs that are yet to be played.
And every last-16 second leg in the Europa League still needs to be contested.
Finals could be played on August 26th and 29th respectively, three months later than originally planned.
This year's final could be played on August 29, three months later than originally scheduled (Image: LAURENT GILLIERON/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock)
UEFA are also set to discuss the women’s Euros, which were due to take place next year in England, as well as the Nations League when they hold a video conference meeting next Thursday.
They will begin a week of meetings on Tuesday by talking to the 55 associations, including the English FA, about progress for each country during the coronavirus pandemic.
A meeting will also be held on Wednesday involving the European Clubs Association, European Leagues and the calendar working group.
This is likely to be where plans of action and restart dates will be put forward by leagues, including the Premier League.
Proposals could then be rubber stamped at the video conference meeting the following day.
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