UEFA confirm stance on potentially switching Champions League final venue
By Sean Walsh
UEFA have commented on reports that the Champions League final could be moved from the Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul for a third time.
The Turkish venue was originally scheduled to host the 2020 final but due to the coronavirus pandemic, the latter stages of the tournament were moved to Portugal, with Benfica's Estadio da Luz the site of Bayern Munich's triumph over PSG.
The Ataturk was then slated to host the 2021 final, but again disruptions caused by the pandemic saw it moved to Portugal. Chelsea went on to beat Manchester City at Porto's Estadio do Dragao.
UEFA sought to make amends by handing the Ataturk the rights to the 2023 final - the 2022 edition was moved from Saint Petersburg to Paris due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine - but this too has been in jeopardy due to political unease in the country.
Reports across Europe this week have claimed that due to the upcoming presidential elections in Turkey, UEFA have informally reached out to Lisbon authorities over the possibility of again staging the final.
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But the governing body have quickly sought to play down this prospect and have maintained their support for Istanbul to at long last stage the showpiece event.
UEFA's statement reads: "Following some inaccurate and unfounded media reports, UEFA would like to clarify the position on the 2023 Champions League final.
"The 2023 UEFA Champions League final will take place in Istanbul as scheduled, on 10 June 2023. UEFA has no discussions to the contrary with any political institutions, governments or national football associations."
The finalists for the Champions League will be confirmed next week. Inter lead rivals Milan 2-0 heading into their semi-final second leg, while Manchester City and Real Madrid will reconvene at the Etihad Stadium after a 1-1 draw in Spain.
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