UEFA have released a statement confirming that the Champions League final will remain in Istanbul this season, despite previous reports suggesting that the match – which could involve Manchester City – being moved due to public unrest in Turkey.
The Daily Mail previously reported that the association’s chiefs were weighing up whether to move the venue for the final, having previously done so in 2020 when Istanbul were scheduled to host the final but it was switched to Lisbon as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
However, UEFA have since dispelled those rumours with a statement that 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.”
Manchester City will be hoping that they are featuring in the final in Turkey, though there have been fears in the country of disturbances if current President Recep Tayyip Erdogan loses to Kemal Kilicdaroglu, who currently has a five per cent lead in the polls in the upcoming election.
The first round of the electoral process will take place on May 14, though if there is a slender margin then a second round will take place on May 28 – with the final scheduled for June 10.
UEFA had reportedly made an ‘informal approach’ to the Portuguese FA over hosting the game in Lisbon if fan safety concerns arise.
Such a development could have left several City supporters scrambling for accommodation and travel arrangements if a last-minute switch is made, as many could have booked flights and hotels prior to any formal decision – but UEFA have brought ease to the situation.
Though Pep Guardiola’s outfit will first need to overcome Real Madrid in the second leg of their semi-final to book their place in Istanbul, having drawn 1-1 at the Bernabeu in the first leg on Tuesday and could meet either AC Milan or Inter Milan in the final – after the Nerazzurri took a commanding 2-0 lead at the San Siro on Wednesday.
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