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Ceferin’s Aug 3 deadline not true, Uefa says; Fifa to give indefinite season extension
LONDON • Uefa has denied there is an Aug 3 deadline to complete this season’s Champions League after a report by German broadcaster ZDF quoted the body’s president, Aleksander Ceferin, as saying the competition had to be finished by then.
A statement from European football’s governing body read: “It has been reported that Uefa president, Aleksander Ceferin, told ZDF in Germany that the Champions League must conclude by Aug 3.
“This is not true. The president was very clear not to set exact dates for the end of the season.”
Football leagues across Europe and beyond have been suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Covid-19 crisis has also affected the Champions League and the Europa League, with both competitions stalling at the round of 16.
Uefa, along with the European Club Association and the European Leagues umbrella group, is currently analysing all options to complete the domestic and European campaigns.
On the progress of the working group, which was set up on March 17, to find a solution that suits all parties, Uefa said: “The primary priority of all the members is to preserve public health.
“Following on from that, it is to find calendar solutions to complete all competitions.
“Options are currently being studied to play matches in July and in August if needed, depending on restart dates and the permission of national authorities.”
But according to The Athletic, leagues will be given as much leeway as possible with regard to completing the term,given the unprecedented challenges brought about by Covid-19.
