Despite the coronavirus pandemic bringing a temporary halt to all football activities for the season, UEFA are still intent on finishing off this season’s Champions League and Europa League competitions in one three-week block during August.<\/p>\n
That’s the idea, albeit a bit ambitious and buoyantly optimistic, that is been tossed around as the continent’s football governing body continues to seek a practical solution to their current dilemma.<\/p>\n
The latest solution is based primarily on the assumption, among others, that the Premier League – and other leagues – will be on its feet up-and-running by mid-June, with six weeks left for those remaining matchdays to be completed, after which those teams who still have a vested interest in European honours will battle it out through three weeks at the pinnacle of summer.<\/p>\n
Although this could whittle into the following season’s fixtures, there would be only three games potentially missing before September’s international break as there are four Premier League clubs involved. As it looks, the plan seems feasible.<\/p>\n
This fall-back plan is certainly manageable for UEFA as president Aleksander Ceferin has already ruled out postponing the Champions League and Europa League into September and beyond and is even prepared to play matches behind-closed-doors in a bid to ‘bring positivity back into people’s lives.’<\/p>\n
There is also the equally pressing need for UEFA to finish off the campaign and ensure that their commitments to the broadcasters are duly fulfilled otherwise the consequences would be dire.<\/p>\n
With both competitions currently under suspension indefinitely, clubs still involved like Manchester City, Chelsea, Manchester United, Wolves and Rangers are all on the sidelines playing a waiting game watching how the pandemic progresses.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"