UEFA are in informal talks with Portuguese authorities on changing the Champions League final venue from Istanbul to Lisbon if there is unrest in Istanbul following the presidential Turkish election, according to reports. Manchester City and Inter Milan are currently the favourites to reach the finals of the prestigious event.
The body fears civil unrest at the end of the month if current President Recep Tayyip Erdogan loses. The first round of the election is due to take place on May 14 and it could stretch to the second round as Erdogan's rival Kemal Kilicdaroglu currently has a slender five per cent lead.
The second round will take place on May 28 which is just 14 days before the UCL final. According to Daily Mail, an informal approach has been made to the Portuguese Football Federation, who have previously stepped in twice previously to host the final.
The report mentioned that FIFA prefers to keep the current location for the final but they prioritize fans safety. The Attaturk stadium is due to host the UCL final for the second time after 2005. It was the location for the 2020 UCL final between PSG and Bayern Munich but the Covid-19 pandemic forced a move to the Estadio da Luz in Lisbon. Portugal also stepped in in 2021 again as the final was moved from St. Petersburg to Porto after Russia invaded Ukraine. The UCL final is set to take place on June 11 at 12:30 am IST.
