UEFA mulls over relocation of the final
The Champions League final, scheduled for June 10th at the Olympic Atatürk Stadium in Istanbul, is currently under discussion due to potential civil disturbances during the Turkish presidential elections.
According to reports by Matt Hughes from Daily Mail, UEFA officials are considering a potential backup location for the highly-anticipated match due to concerns about possible protests and civil unrest. The unofficial backup location under consideration is the "Da Luz" stadium in Lisbon, Portugal.
The presidential elections in Turkey are set to begin on May 14th and may proceed to a second round, potentially leading to mass protests. Both pro-government forces and the opposition have expressed serious concerns about the transparency of the elections.
The Champions League final was unlucky to miss out on taking place in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This year, the final will feature one team from the Real - Manchester City pair and one team from Milan. The first leg of the Champions League semi-final between Real Madrid and Manchester City ended in a 1:1 draw. The first meeting between Milan and Inter in the Champions League semi-final resulted in a 2:0 victory for the nominal visitors.
There is no indication that UEFA has considered moving the 2023 Champions League final from Istanbul due to election-related civil disturbances. The available information does not mention any change or discussion about relocating the 2023 final from Istanbul. Istanbul remains a confirmed host city for UEFA finals in subsequent years, including the 2026 Europa League final set for Vodafone Park in Istanbul.
The Champions League final in Istanbul is still on the cards, but the situation is being closely monitored by UEFA officials. As the elections approach, the decision about the final's location will likely become clearer. Regardless of where the final takes place, football fans around the world are eagerly waiting for the grand event.
Despite the potential civil disturbances during the Turkish presidential elections, the Champions League final in Istanbul remains a confirmed host city. In the event of election-related issues, the Da Luz stadium in Lisbon, Portugal, has been suggested as a potential backup location for the match.
