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UEFA has announced the COVID-19-related regulations for the knockout stages of the Champions League and the Europa League.
With travel far more difficult in 2021, this is going to be crucial information.
With travel far more difficult in 2021, this is going to be crucial information.
All clubs must work to obtain from the relevant authorities exemptions from existing travel restrictions, such as border closures and quarantine requirements, for the match to take place as scheduled.
This is at UEFA approved venues in accordance with the published calendar.
This is at UEFA approved venues in accordance with the published calendar.
Clubs have until next Monday, February 8, to notify UEFA if a travel exemption cannot be obtained for the UCL RO16 first legs and the UEL RO32.
This includes anything that would impact the staging of, or travelling to/from, one of knock-out stage matches.
This includes anything that would impact the staging of, or travelling to/from, one of knock-out stage matches.
If restrictions could result in the match not taking place as scheduled, these rules apply.
1) If restrictions imposed by the national/local authorities of the home club apply to the visiting club, the home club must propose an alternative venue which may be in a neutral country
1) If restrictions imposed by the national/local authorities of the home club apply to the visiting club, the home club must propose an alternative venue which may be in a neutral country
1) (cont..) If the home club fails to propose a suitable
alternative venue and a reorganisation of the match is not
possible, the home club will be considered to have forfeited and lost by 3-0.
alternative venue and a reorganisation of the match is not
possible, the home club will be considered to have forfeited and lost by 3-0.
2) If restrictions imposed by the national/local authorities of the visiting club apply to the visiting club's travel to play OR return home, the home club must propose an alternative venue which may be in a neutral country
2) (cont) If the home club fails to propose a suitable
alternative venue, the UEFA administration will take a final decision.
If either club refuses to take part in the match, it will forfeit the match by 3-0.
alternative venue, the UEFA administration will take a final decision.
If either club refuses to take part in the match, it will forfeit the match by 3-0.
Where possible, clubs should try to use as an alternative venue a UEFA approved venue used in the competition by another club.
All clubs participating in the knock-out stage shall use best endeavours to make their UEFA approved venue available as a neutral venue.
All clubs participating in the knock-out stage shall use best endeavours to make their UEFA approved venue available as a neutral venue.
In all cases, the clubs may agree - subject to UEFA’s approval - on a venue reversal (swapping home and away legs) or on a neutral venue.
If info on restrictions imposed is not accurate or is
insufficient or received too late, the UEFA administration will take a final decision.
If info on restrictions imposed is not accurate or is
insufficient or received too late, the UEFA administration will take a final decision.
In all cases, the UEFA administration has the right to assign an alternative venue for any particular match or even to decide that either or both legs of the relevant round to be rescheduled and/or played in a neutral country and/or organised as a single-leg tie.
In terms of positive tests, the rules are the same as in previous knockout ties (and the Nations League).
If a game can't be played, as decreed by local authorities, before the round deadline, the team with the positive tests will lose the leg 3-0. If both affected, UEFA rule.
If a game can't be played, as decreed by local authorities, before the round deadline, the team with the positive tests will lose the leg 3-0. If both affected, UEFA rule.
Champions League Match deadlines (if rearrangement necessary)
a. Round of 16: 2 April 2021;
b. Quarter-finals: 23 April 2021;
c. Semi-finals: 14 May 2021.
a. Round of 16: 2 April 2021;
b. Quarter-finals: 23 April 2021;
c. Semi-finals: 14 May 2021.
Europa League Match deadlines (if rearrangement necessary)
a. Round of 32: 5 March 2021;
b. Round of 16: 2 April 2021;
c. Quarter-finals: 23 April 2021;
d. Semi-finals: 14 May 2021.
a. Round of 32: 5 March 2021;
b. Round of 16: 2 April 2021;
c. Quarter-finals: 23 April 2021;
d. Semi-finals: 14 May 2021.
If, for any reason, a round in the KO-stage cannot be completed, the UEFA Executive Committee will decide on the principles for determining the winner.
