The Union of European Football
Associations (UEFA) is set to host the upcoming Champions League final, on May 30, in Istanbul, despite Turkey currently
being under a COVID-induced lockdown and finalists being two Premier League sides.

The final of the premier footballing tournament
in Europe will see its third all-English final showdown between Premier League frontrunners
Manchester City and Chelsea, with the latter defeating Real Madrid by a 2-0
margin on Wednesday.

While a total of 4,000 supporters are expected to come down to Istanbul for the match, there are doubts that the UK government will allow travel to the venue.

“The UEFA Champions League final will
take place in Istanbul on 29 May with a limited number of spectators and we are
assured the temporary lockdown which is in force until 17 May should not have
any impact on the match. UEFA continues to work closely with the Turkish
Football Federation and the local and national authorities to stage the match
safely.

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Detailed information regarding the
capacity for the match, travel and ticketing details will be communicated
publicly by the end of the week”, The Guardian quoted a UEFA official as
saying.

Premier League side Aston Villa,
meanwhile, approached UEFA and the FA on Thursday, offering to host
the finals at its home ground of Villa Park.

“Aston Villa have approached UEFA and
the FA about hosting the Champions League final between Man City and Chelsea at
Villa Park instead of in Istanbul”, Sky Sports reported.

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While relocating the match to a UK stadium
would make fan attendance hassle free for the administration, officials and
media personnel travelling to the country will have to quarantine.

Turkey, which has not made any remarks indicating
it wants to give up the match till now, had the 2019-2020 Champions League
final too taken away from Istanbul to Lisbon last year.