Chelsea and Manchester City fans to face travel restrictions for Champions League final
According to Mirror, Chelsea and Manchester City fans will face travel restrictions for the Champions League final. Both sets of fans will have to travel to Portugal on the day of the final. They will then take a COVID test, stay in a ‘bubble’ and return the day after.
It has been a long journey for both clubs to reach the finals. They have worked hard to topple their opponents and are finally set for an all-English final. The Ataturk Stadium in Istanbul was initially scheduled to host the game. But things went awry since the UK government decided to add Turkey to the red list. This meant that any English fans travelling there would have to quarantine for 10 days when they return.
Fans to face difficult visit to Portugal
Shifting the UCL final was considered, with the Wembley Stadium being a possible venue. However, the UK government did not grant a quarantine exemption to 2000 odd broadcasters, sponsorship partners and UEFA staff. That led to UEFA looking at alternatives. UEFA finalized that the fixture will be played in Portugal, in the Estadio Do Dragao.
Now it has been reported that the 6000 fans from each team would be facing a difficult and stringent journey. Portugal government’s Cabinet Affairs Minister Mariana Vieira da Silva confirmed the travel restrictions fans will have to adhere to.
“Those who come to the final of the Champions League will come and return on the same day, with a test done, in a bubble situation, on charter flights. There will be two fan zones and from there they will be moved to the stadium and from the stadium to the airport, being in Portugal less than 24 hours.”
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It is understandable that there are restrictions on travel and stay given the scale of the pandemic. While it is by no means ideal for fans, the fact that 12,000 supporters are being allowed is still a win.