UEFA is formulating plans to stage the Champions League final on 29 August, in what would be the final game of the European season.
Football across the continent is currently suspended due to coronavirus, with a meeting planned for 23 April to discuss potential ways to conclude the campaign.
According to BBC Sport, one decision likely to be agreed upon is leagues being able to finish early – but only with UEFA approval. Saying that, completing all fixtures before the start of September continues to be the preferred option.
Under these plans, the season would culminate with the Champions League final in Istanbul on 29 August, with the Europa League final being staged in Gdansk three days earlier. There are currently two different plans for the completion of both competitions being considered.
One proposal is to play the remaining Champions League knockout games as normal. The quarter finals would be held in July while the semi finals would take place in August. All ties would be two legged affairs.
If this is not feasible – which seems likely – UEFA is considering hosting a mini tournament at the end of the domestic season. These games would be one-legged and potentially condensed into a week’s worth of action.
Prior to either of these plans being enacted, the Champions League quarter finalists will need to be determined. Currently, Paris Saint-Germain, RB Leipzig, Atalanta and Atletico Madrid have all qualified but several high profile round of 16 games are still to be decided, including Real Madrid vs Manchester City.
The Europa League would be more complicated to schedule as all round of 16 ties are yet to be concluded, with some games involving Spanish and Italian teams yet to even play the first legs.