The UEFA is planning to finish the 2019-29 season by the month of August that include the Champions League and the Europan League, the European football governing body's president Aleksander Ceferin has stated.
Most of the European league seasons got suspended in March because of the coronavirus or COVID-19 pandemic but a few leagues announced the plans for a restart in the coming weeks.
French and Dutch top-flight campaigns have been canceled
The French and Dutch top-flight campaigns have been canceled but the German Bundesliga restarted on Saturday and Ceferin expects at least 80 percent of national leagues to finish their seasons. "We have an idea but we have to wait for the executive committee of UEFA to confirm the dates. I can say that the European season will be finished, if everything is as it is now, in August," Ceferin told beIN Sports. "As things look now, I'm sure... that we can finish the European season and this means UEFA competition.
"I think the majority of leagues will finish the season. The ones who will not, it's their decision. But they will still have to play qualifiers if they want to participate in the European UEFA competition." Both the Champions League and Europa League are yet to complete their last-16 matches.
Paris St Germain were declared Ligue 1 champions
Paris St Germain, who were declared Ligue 1 champions, are looking to play their Champions League games abroad after the French government said professional sports would not be allowed to return before September. "Paris St Germain and Lyon... will have to organize (matches) in France," Ceferin added. "If this is not possible, (they) will have to organize it at a neutral ground.
"If you cannot play in your country, then you have to organize it at a neutral ground... I don't see the reason why French authorities would not allow them to organize a match without spectators, but let's see. It's out of my power." Euro 2020, scheduled to be hosted in 12 cities across Europe, has been postponed until next year.
"We've had conversations with nine cities and everything is set," Ceferin said. "With three cities, we have some issues. So we will discuss further. In principle, we will do it in 12 cities but if not, we are ready to do it in 10, nine or eight."
(With agency inputs)
