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Porto leading race to host Champions League final as Uefa decision drags on
Uefa were this morning still to confirm the venue for the Champions League final – but Portugal is increasingly seen as the favoured option.
Wembley has been given every chance to stage the all-English showdown between Chelsea and Manchester City, but talks on Monday and Tuesday saw the Government fail to offer quarantine exemptions for around 2000 media and guests.
It will take a significant change in stance to see the game played at the national stadium.
That has led to European football’s governing body pressing ahead with plans to stage the match in Portugal – just as it did last year for the final rounds of the competition.
Watch: UK 'willing to host' UEFA final
While Lisbon was seen as having the advantage, Porto’s Estadio do Dragao has emerged as the leading contender for the May 29 showpiece.
Announcement of the venue has already taken longer than UEFA had hoped after determining the game would have to be moved from Istanbul, due to a coronavirus spread that saw Turkey placed on the UK’s travel red-list and fans of both clubs told not to go.
With less than three weeks to make new arrangements, UEFA wanted any venue to be one they were familiar with from a logistical point of view.
Wembley was the most appealing option – requiring less travel for both sets of fans – but the issue over quarantine exemptions has been the main sticking point.
Portugal will be placed on the UK’s green-list, meaning travelling supporters will not have to quarantine upon their return.
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