Covid-19 Cases In Turkey Soar, UEFA Top Caste League Remains To Be Held In Istanbul

JAKARTA - UEFA confirmed that they will continue to hold the Champions League final this season at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium, Istanbul, Turkey on May 29.

Concerns had surfaced following the recent spike in COVID-19 cases in Turkey which led the local government to impose lockdown rules until May 17.

At the same time, the possibility of two English clubs, namely Manchester City and Chelsea, meeting in the final, raises questions about Istanbul's ability to hold the top party.

However, UEFA insisted that they had no plans to change the location of the match.

"The Champions League final will be held in Istanbul on May 29 with a limited number of spectators and we are sure that the temporary lockdown in effect in Turkey until May 17 will not affect the match plans", said an official UEFA statement quoted by Reuters on Thursday evening.

"UEFA will continue to coordinate with the Turkish Football Federation as well as all local national and local authorities so that the match will continue to be run safely. Further information regarding spectator slots and tickets will be announced following", read the same statement.

The Ataturk Olympic Stadium was supposed to host last season's Champions League final, but the COVID-19 pandemic situation forced UEFA to make changes and the final relocated to Lisbon.