Uefa considering relocating CL final as Turkey joins UK's red list

Uefa are considering options regarding Istanbul's hosting of the Champions League final after Turkey was added to the UK's red list for travel just over three weeks before the showpiece fixture between Chelsea and Manchester City, Sky Sports reported.

UK citizens returning from 'red list' countries are required to quarantine at a Government-approved hotel for 10 days.

The Government announced Turkey had joined the list of high-risk countries at a briefing on Friday evening.

Speaking at a press conference, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said fans should not travel and confirmed the Football Association has approached Uefa over whether the match could be moved to England.

Shapps said: "I'm afraid we are having to put Turkey on the red list. This will have a number of ramifications. First of all, it does mean with regards to the Champions League, fans should not travel to Turkey.

"The FA are in discussions with Uefa on this. We are very open to hosting the final but it is ultimately a decision for Uefa.

"Of course the UK has already got a successful track record of football matches with spectators, so we are well placed to do it.

"We are very open to it but it is, in the end, a decision for Uefa to make, but given there are two English clubs in that final. We look forward to what they have to say."

Manchester City and Chelsea booked their places in the final on May 29 after overcoming Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid respectively earlier this week.

Immediately talk turned to England hosting the final, with Turkey in a lockdown.

However, Uefa had insisted it had no plans to change the venue, stating: "The Uefa Champions League final will take place in Istanbul on May 29 with a limited number of spectators and we are assured the temporary lockdown which is in force until May 17 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."

Aston Villa approached the FA and Uefa earlier this week to offer Villa Park as the venue for the Champions League final and avoid the need for around 8,000 English fans to travel to Istanbul for the event.