Not in Lisbon, the Champions League final is in Istanbul

Once again, the British newspaper Daily Mail reported that the Champions League final may be moved from Istanbul, Turkey. But UEFA dismissed the news and said that they did not have any such discussion. Istanbul …

Once again, the British newspaper Daily Mail reported that the Champions League final may be moved from Istanbul, Turkey. But UEFA dismissed the news and said that they did not have any such discussion. Istanbul has been waiting to host the Champions League final since 2020. But due to the outbreak of the epidemic corona, they have not yet organized that final.

Also in 2021, the final was moved from Istanbul due to the bad situation of Corona in Turkey. Both the alternate venues were two major cities in Portugal. The Champions League finals were held in Lisbon in 2020 and Porto in 2021.

Istanbul has been finalized as the venue for the Champions League final on June 10. Meanwhile, the Daily Mail reported that the venue may be moved yesterday. They wrote the name of Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, as a possible venue.

Champions League trophyPhoto: UEFA
Champions League trophyPhoto: UEFA

This time the reason for changing the venue is not Corona, but the political situation in Turkey. Due to this concern, UEFA has already started communication with the Portuguese football-affiliates. Even though Istanbul is still the right venue, if the political situation worsens, then UEFA wants to have an alternative venue ready. Keeping this in mind, UEFA has started discussions in advance, the newspaper wrote.

Dismissing the news of the Daily Mail, UEFA said in a statement, ‘The 2023 Champions League final will be held in Istanbul according to the schedule. UEFA is clarifying its position in this regard. We have not discussed the change of venue with any political party, government or the National Football Association.’

Presidential election in Turkey on Sunday. Analysts say that if Recep Tayyip Erdoğan falls from power this time, there is a fear of political instability in the country.