UEFA hatch unique plan to finish Champions League in one city

UEFA are considering a plan to stage the final three rounds of the Champions League and Europa League all in one host city and with ties played over just one leg.

The tournaments have been on hiatus since March, half-way through the round of 16, due to the coronavirus crisis.

No plans have been decided on, but there is a possibility that the remaining last 16 matches will be played as normal and then the quarter-finals onwards will be played in just one city.

UEFA will also ditch the traditional two-legged affairs in the quarter-finals and semi-finals, just holding one-off contests.

The Getafe president Angel Torres explained the plot, which would all be played out in August after all domestic leagues had been completed.

Torres told Cadena COPE: ‘UEFA’s idea is to play the Champions League and Europa League, starting from the quarter-finals, across one match in one venue although nothing has been confirmed yet..

‘They will come to a decision on June 17 (when the executive committee meets).’

No announcement has been made on the city that could host one or both of the tournaments, but Lisbon, in Portugal, and cities in Germany are being considered.

The final is currently scheduled to be hosted in Istanbul, but that is looking increasingly unlikely.

The Turkish city would not expect to make a return on their investment if no fans were available to attend, which they almost certainly won’t be able to.

Much can change and nothing will be decided until a UEFA meeting on 17 June.

A Uefa statement read: ‘A working group has been set up with the participation of representatives from the leagues and clubs to examine calendar solutions and format options that would allow for the completion of the current season.

‘A variety of options are being looked at and no decisions have been made at this stage.’

Follow Metro Sport across our social channels, on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

For more stories like this, check our sport page.