UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin has revealed that Europe’s football governing body has plans to finish the season in August, including the Champions League and the Europa League.
Almost every European competition was temporarily suspended in March after the outbreak of the coronavirus. While Bundesliga has completed one game week, many competitions are preparing for the resumption. The French and Dutch top-flight has been cancelled and UEFA president expects 80% leagues to finish their season.
“We have an idea but we have to wait for the executive committee of UEFA to confirm the dates. I can say that the European season will be finished, if everything is as it is now, in August,” Ceferin told beIN Sports.
“As things look now, I’m sure… that we can finish the European season and this means UEFA competition.
“I think the majority of leagues will finish the season. The ones who will not, it’s their decision. But they will still have to play qualifiers if they want to participate in the European UEFA competition.”
French champions PSG and Lyon will be looking to play their European games abroad after the French government said in a statement that professional sports would not be allowed to return before September. This also lead to the cancellation of the French league.
“Paris St Germain and Lyon… will have to organise in France,” Ceferin added. “If this is not possible, will have to organise it at a neutral ground.
“If you cannot play in your country, then you have to organise it at a neutral ground… I don’t see the reason why French authorities would not allow them to organise a match without spectators, but let’s see. It’s out of my power.”
UEFA Euros 2020, which was scheduled to be hosted in 12 different venues across Europe, was postponed. When asked about the Euros, Ceferin said:
“We’ve had conversations with nine cities and everything is set,” Ceferin said. “With three cities, we have some issues. So we will discuss further. In principle, we will do it in 12 cities but if not, we are ready to do it in 10, nine or eight.”
