UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has said the halted Champions League and Europa League tournament will be completed by August, insisting plans are in place for that to happen.
Following the outbreak of the coronavirus, football, and all sporting activities has been suspended, prompting the UEFA Champions League and Europa League to halt it season tournament, in a bid to help curtail the spread of the virus.
However, an improvement into the pandemic situation has seen some leagues in the world nearing a return to action, while some have commenced it season campaign.
The French and Dutch top-flight campaigns have been cancelled but the Bundesliga restarted in Germany on Saturday, and Ceferin expects at least 80 per cent of national leagues to finish their seasons.
Speaking to beIN Sports, the UEFA Boss said;
“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,”
“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.”
Also speaking on how clubs in French Ligue 1 and Dutch league, can participate in the Champions League and Europa League, as both top leagues in Europe has been cancelled, the 52-year old Slovenian president, said;
“Paris Saint-Germain and Lyon will have to organise [matches] in France,” Ceferin added. “If this is not possible, [they] 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.”
