UEFA clarify Champions League final plans after uncertainty over Istanbul
UEFA insist the Champions League final WILL take place in Istanbul on June 10 - despite uncertainty over Turkey's political situation.
The Ataturk Olympic Stadium is set to host the match for a second time, having notably staged the 2005 Champions League final which saw Liverpool complete a remarkable comeback to beat AC Milan on penalties.
The stadium was also due to host the 2020 Champions League final where Bayern Munich beat PSG 1-0. However, due to the Covid-19 pandemic the final was moved to the Estadio da Luz in Lisbon as UEFA staged a 'final eight knock-out tournament' in Portugal to minimise the need for travel.
The Champions League final is set to take place in Istanbul on June 10 (Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)As a result of Istanbul not hosting that year's final, they were named as the venue for the 2023 Champions League final. However, reports claimed the game could once again be moved to Lisbon if there is unrest in Turkey's capital following the presidential election.
The first round of the election is due to take place on May 14 and there were believed to be concerns about the prospect of civil unrest if current President Recep Tayyip Erdogan loses. Erdogan's rival Kemal Kilicdaroglu currently has a slender five per cent lead in the polls, meaning the election may need a second round.
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That would take place on May 28, just two weeks before the Champions League final. Safety is of primary importance for UEFA, particularly following the shambolic handling of last year's final at the Parc des Princes in Paris, where Liverpool fans were subject to dreadful treatment from the French authorities.
However, UEFA have issued a statement to deny the final is set to be moved. Their statement read: "Following some inaccurate and unfounded media reports, UEFA would like to clarify the position on the 2023 Champions League final.
"The 2023 UEFA Champions League final will take place in Istanbul as scheduled, on 10 June 2023. UEFA has no discussions to the contrary with any political institutions, governments or national football associations."
Senior sources had previously played down the prospect of the final being moved, telling Mirror Football that frequent visits have been made to the Ataturk Stadium to ensure there are no security issues. UEFA have been working on a contingency plan since earlier this year, though that has become standard protocol for major events since the Covid pandemic.
The final is due to be held in Istanbul for the first time since Liverpool's remarkable 2005 victory (Bob Thomas Sports Photography via Getty Images)Either Manchester City or Real Madrid will take on AC Milan or Inter Milan in this season's final. The tie between City and Real is finely poised heading into the second leg after a 1-1 draw at the Bernabeu, while Inter beat Milan 2-0 in the first leg of their clash.
And Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is looking forward to his side's second leg against the defending champions, likening it to a "play-off". Speaking after the first leg, Guardiola said: "It's open to Manchester, it will be a final playing at home with our people and we look forward to it. The effort was incredible. It's like a play-off now.
"We will try to adjust something maybe in the second leg to be more fluid and play with a bit more rhythm because we play at home and at home we feel comfortable with our people. We are going to try. The team that is going to win the game is going to get to the final."
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