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UEFA insists there’s “no reason to prepare a Plan B” for the ultimate eight of the Champions League in Lisbon regardless of Portuguese authorities reintroducing restrictions to curb the unfold of coronavirus. “We hope everything will be fine and that it will be possible to organise the tournament in Portugal. For the moment there is no reason to prepare a Plan B,” a UEFA spokesperson informed AFP. The spokesperson added that European football’s governing physique is in “constant contact with the Portuguese Football Federation and the local authorities”.
UEFA introduced earlier this month that the latter levels of the Champions League can be staged exceptionally as a straight knockout competitors from the quarter-finals onwards with all matches in Lisbon.
Earlier this month, UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin mentioned: “For now things look well, and we hope everything will be fine until we organise the final eight.”
He added: “We are assessing the situation, not week by week but day by day, and we will adapt when the time comes, if necessary.”
Portugal had not suffered to the identical extent as different western European international locations throughout the pandemic however final week Portuguese Prime Minister Antonio Costa introduced that some coronavirus restrictions can be reimposed in and across the capital to assist management recent outbreaks.
From Wednesday, 19 neighbourhoods on the northern edges of Lisbon will return into lockdown.
Gatherings will likely be restricted to a most of 5 folks in these areas, in comparison with 10 folks within the wider Lisbon space and 20 folks throughout the remainder of Portugal.
The closing eight is because of start with the primary quarter-final on August 12, with the ultimate scheduled for August 23.
Matches will likely be performed at Benfica’s Estadio da Luz and the close by Estadio Jose Alvalade, dwelling of Sporting.
Atletico Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, RB Leipzig and Atalanta all certified for the quarter-finals earlier than the competitors was suspended in March.
The remaining final 16, second legs are: Juventus v Lyon; Manchester City v Real Madrid; Bayern Munich v Chelsea and Barcelona v Napoli.
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It is hoped these matches — set for August 7 and eight — won’t must be performed on impartial floor however they is also moved to Portugal, with UEFA standing by to unfold the matches across the nation, in Lisbon in addition to within the northern cities of Porto and Guimaraes.
Ceferin has admitted that it’s unlikely any of the matches will likely be performed in entrance of crowds however mentioned UEFA would re-assess the state of affairs in July.
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