Football London
Turkey has been placed on the Government’s “red list” for travel, meaning anyone visiting the country will have to quarantine in a government hotel upon their return to the UK.
Transport secretary Grant Shapps announced the news at a press conference on Friday afternoon as Turkey is in the midst of a coronavirus crisis, with the country going back into lockdown a week ago.
The news throws the all-English Champions League final between Chelsea and Manchester City on May 29, due to be played in Istanbul, into major doubt.
Anyone, and that includes sportspeople, returning from Turkey will have to quarantine in a government enforced hotel at a cost of £1750.
Reports in The Telegraph have claimed the UK Government is in talks over potentially moving the final to England, a move that is logical on the face of it with two English teams contesting the final.
However, Wembley is already booked for the date of the game, May 29, which is when the Championship play-off final is due to take place.
Aston Villa’s home ground of Villa Park and the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium are also believed to be options for the game to be held at.
UEFA had been expecting 4000 fans from each team to travel to the final at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium but that is no highly unlikely to be the case.
UEFA are understood to be “very unhappy” with the government’s decision.
There is the potential of special exemptions being granted to players and staff by the UK government but, for optical reasons, such special measures are unlikely to be granted.
The game could also be moved by UEFA to another country but owing to such a short turnaround that is deemed logistically impossible, leaving an alternative venue in England as the best option.
Shapps has been asked directly about the Champions League final and said: “Fans should not travel to Turkey. The FA are in discussions with UEFA on this. We are very open to hosting the final but it is ultimately a decision for UEFA.”
The Government has said that the situation will be reviewed every three weeks. Turkey has seen a huge surge in Covid cases, with 22,000 new infections reported in the last 24 hours.
Chelsea head coach Thomas Tuchel was asked on Friday if he supported the match being switched to a different country and if he supported the idea: “Support would mean I get involved in this and I do not get involved in these discussions or thoughts because I have enough to prepare myself and the team for the upcoming matches.
“I have full trust in everybody who decides this to make a reasonable decision.
“When we were not quite sure where we would play against Porto in the first and second leg. That’s why I trust all the people at Chelsea involved in this, and others who will decide. I just at the moment prepare for the final.”
This Story First Appeared At The Football London
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