Given the abrupt suspension to European football due to the coronavirus pandemic, UEFA are scrambling to find a solution for the current Champions League and Europa League season.
According to AS, European football’s governing body are contemplating shaking up the format in order to complete the campaign in short time. This could see the semi-final and final take place under a “final four” form.
This means the penultimate and ultimate stages of UEFA’s two club competitions would be played in a single city over the span of four days in a single-leg format. Istanbul and Gdansk, the predetermined host cities for the Champions League and Europa League finals, would be the hosts.
There are several benefits to this plan. Firstly, it would allow Europe’s domestic leagues, such as the Premier League, La Liga, and Serie A ample time to wrap up over the summer. Furthermore, fans would not have to travel to several cities to support their club in the semis and final.
Giorgio Marchetti, the director of competitions at UEFA, will propose this to the organization’s 55 member associations’ representatives. A video conference meeting will be held this Tuesday to come to a solution.
Both competitions paused at the round of 16, meaning this stage must first be competed as usual. After that comes the quarter-finals, which would also be a one-leg affair at either a neutral venue or the home stadium of a team in each match-up as chosen by a draw.
