愛污传媒

Skip to main content

UEFA rebuts claim Istanbul in doubt as Champions League final host after election

Turkish President and People's Alliance's presidential candidate Recep Tayyip Erdogan gives a speech during an election campaign rally in Ankara, Sunday, April 30, 2023. Turkey is heading toward presidential and parliamentary elections on Sunday May 14, 2023.(Ali Unal/AP Photo)
Turkish President and People's Alliance's presidential candidate Recep Tayyip Erdogan gives a speech during an election campaign rally in Ankara, Sunday, April 30, 2023. Turkey is heading toward presidential and parliamentary elections on Sunday May 14, 2023.(Ali Unal/AP Photo)
Share
NYON, Switzerland -

UEFA insisted Friday that the Champions League final will be played in Istanbul, hitting back at a newspaper report that claims the European soccer body has explored Lisbon as a standby option if there is turmoil in Turkey after this weekend鈥檚 elections.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is in a close race to extend his 20-year grip on power. He is seeking a third term in Sunday's election.

The Daily Mail in London claimed UEFA made an 鈥渋nformal approach鈥 to the Portuguese soccer federation in case any post-election unrest put Istanbul in doubt to host the final on June 10.

鈥淯EFA has no discussions to the contrary with any political institutions, governments or national football associations,鈥 the body said in a statement responding to what it called 鈥渟ome inaccurate and unfounded media reports.鈥

The Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul was scheduled to host the final in both 2020 and 2021 until health rules during the coronavirus pandemic made it impractical. The Portuguese soccer federation and government stepped in both times. Lisbon staged a delayed eight-team mini-tournament, including the final with no fans, in August 2020.

In May 2021, Porto staged an all-English final with only 14,000 people able to attend Chelsea's 1-0 victory over Manchester City.

Man City could be back in the final this season. The English champions host Real Madrid on Wednesday in the second leg of the semifinals after a 1-1 draw in Spain. Inter Milan leads AC Milan 2-0 ahead of their second leg on Tuesday.

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

Israel launches strikes on military targets in Iran, escalating Mideast wars

Israel pounded Iran with a series of airstrikes early Saturday, saying it was targeting military targets in retaliation for the barrage of ballistic missiles the Islamic Republic fired upon Israel earlier this month. Explosions could be heard in the Iranian capital, Tehran, though there was no immediate information on damage or casualties.

Canada Post driver Rick Harper recounts how he and others helped save a woman from a Tesla that caught fire after crashing into a guardrail on Lake Shore Boulevard.

Local Spotlight

A new resident at a Manitoba animal rescue has waddled her way into people's hearts.

Hundreds of people ran to the music of German composer and pianist Beethoven Wednesday night in a unique race in Halifax.

He is a familiar face to residents of a neighbourhood just west of Roncesvalles Avenue.

A meteor lit up our region's sky last night 鈥 with a large fireball shooting across the horizon over Lake Erie at around 7:00 p.m.

Residents of Ottawa's Rideauview neighbourhood say an aggressive wild turkey has become a problem.

A man who lost his life while trying to rescue people from floodwaters, and a 13-year-old boy who saved his family from a dog attack, are among the Nova Scotians who received a medal for bravery Tuesday.

A newly minted Winnipegger is hoping a world record attempt will help bring awareness for the need for more pump track facilities in the city.

A Springfield, Ont. man is being hailed a 'hero' after running into his burning home to save his two infant children.

Hortense Anglin was the oldest graduate to make her way across the platform at York University's Fall Convocation ceremony this week. At the age of 87, she graduated with an Honours degree in Religious Studies.

Stay Connected