Sports

Breaking News: Finally, UEFA moves UCL final to Portugal

Published

4 years ago

May 13, 2021

Joel Ajayi

The Champions League final between Chelsea and Manchester City on 29 May will take place in Portugal with 6,000 fans from each club able to attend.

The game has been moved from Turkey to the Portuguese city of Porto because of coronavirus restrictions.

Portugal is on England’s green list so players and fans can attend without having to quarantine on their return home. Turkey is on the red list.

The final had been due to be staged at Istanbul’s Ataturk Olympic stadium

To deprive supporters of the chance to see the match in person was not an option and I am delighted that this compromise has been found,” said Uefa president Aleksander Ceferin.

Uefa, UK government officials and the Football Association met to talk about Wembley hosting the game but no agreement could be reached on quarantine exemptions for sponsors, VIPs and broadcasters.

“Fans have had to suffer more than 12 months without the ability to see their teams live and reaching a Champions League final is the pinnacle of club football,” added Ceferin.

“After the year that fans have endured, it is not right that they don’t have the chance to watch their teams in the biggest game of the season”

Both Chelsea and Manchester City say they are in discussions with Uefa and other stakeholders over ticketing and travel arrangements.

It is the second successive year the final has been held in Portugal with Lisbon the location for the delayed final stages of last season’s competition, won by Bayern Munich.

The final capacity limit at the Estadio do Dragao in Porto is still to be fixed.

Ceferin acknowledged that the UK government’s decision to place Turkey on the red list for travel was made in good faith but said it also left the governing body with “a major challenge”.

“The difficulties of moving the final are great and the FA and the authorities made every effort to try to stage the match in England, and I would like to thank them for their work in trying to make it happen,” he added.

“The Turkish Football Federation and the authorities have always been reliable partners of Uefa and I hope to be in Istanbul and Turkey for a Champions League final and many other events in the near future.

“I hope the final will be a symbol of hope at the re-emergence of Europe from a difficult period and that the fans who travel to the game will once again be able to lend their voices to showcase this final as the best in club football.”

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Sports

Authentic All Stars International of Bauchi Thank Finance Commissioner for Sallah Gift

Published

22 hours ago

June 4, 2025

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The President of Authentic All Stars INT’L Bauchi Patrick Pascal (MON) has expressed his heartfelt appreciation to the Bauchi State Commissioner for Finance, Hon. Dr. Yakubu Adamu, for his continued generosity and support to the group during the Sallah celebrations.

In a message to members, the president who is also the Bauchi State FA Chairman announced that the organization had received a Sallah cow from Dr. Yakubu Adamu as part of his goodwill for the festive season. The gesture follows a similar show of support during the last Sallah celebration, when the Commissioner gifted the group ₦700,000.

“I have been directed to inform all members that officials of Authentic All Stars INT’L Bauchi have received a Sallah cow from Hon. Dr. Yakubu Adamu,” the message read. “Members may wish to know that the same Hon. Dr. Yakubu Adamu gave us ₦700,000 during the last Sallah celebration.”

The group extended its gratitude to Dr. Adamu, noting that his contributions reflect his enduring commitment to community engagement and social support, especially during important cultural and religious occasions.

Members of Authentic All Stars INT’L Bauchi are expected to participate in the sharing and celebration of the gift as they mark the Sallah festival.

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