After the creation of a "Final 8" in Lisbon last summer behind closed doors, the 2020-2021 edition of the Champions League, which begins this Tuesday, advance masked and under close surveillance.
To ensure that the competition is completed, to avoid shortening the format (single match from the eighths) and to compensate the broadcasters (€ 566 million), UEFA has implemented a very strict health protocol. demanding.
The goal is to create a sanitary bubble.
As a result, edition 2 of the “Covid-19” Champions League provides for important travel arrangements: compulsory tests two or three days before the match for players, staff and managers.
Only people with a negative test will be able to travel by private transport.
The European body specifies that "additional tests may be required on arrival by the authorities of the country where the match will be played".
Once there, the club must find an exclusive location.
At the time of the match, “the stadium is divided into airtight areas so that only those who test negative, in a limited number, can have access to the delegation area.
Anyone showing symptoms at the meeting place should be immediately quarantined, and local authorities should be informed ”.
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On October 1, UEFA authorized the return of the public within the limit of 30% of a stadium's capacity.
Only local spectators can enter the enclosure.
Travel by supporters is prohibited.
If we can not exceed this 30% gauge, many countries have kept it in camera such as England, Spain, Portugal, the Netherlands, Greece ... In France, Paris and Marseille, cover- fire, will also evolve without an audience.
While Rennes will be able to accommodate 5,000 spectators.
At the German neighbor, only Bayern Munich, reigning European champion, will play behind closed doors.
Dortmund, Leipzig and Mönchengladbach will be entitled to receive their fans.
The 1,000-person gauge could be introduced in Italy.
Russia is expected to be the only country to apply the maximum 30% gauge.
Good news for Zenith Saint Petersburg, Lokomotiv Moscow and Krasnodar.
Coman's victorious goal in the 2019-2020 Champions League final against PSG
The risk of a match being canceled is low
The risk of having a match canceled seems unlikely.
The Champions League match can take place from the moment when 13 players, including one goalkeeper at least, are available.
UEFA regulations require that the stadiums where matches take place must be validated.
If a match cannot be held in one stadium, it is possible to withdraw to another stadium: "If restrictions are imposed on the visiting club by the national or local authorities of the country from which the home club comes, the latter is required to propose an adequate replacement stage.
This stadium may be in a neutral country (member of UEFA) provided that the match can take place there without any restriction applying to both clubs.
The home club will remain responsible for the organization and bear all costs. ”
However, if this home club cannot find a replacement stadium or another date, it will be held responsible for the non-progress of the match and UEFA will declare a defeat by forfeit 0-3.
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The shock of the 1st day of the group stage, Tuesday, between Paris and Manchester United will therefore take place behind closed doors at the Parc des Princes.
Rennes, meanwhile, will be fortunate to have 5,000 home supporters for their very first Champions League match against the Russians in Krasnodar.
The Marseillais will travel to Greece on Wednesday in the empty Olympiakos stadium.
Another sensitive point, participating clubs must be vigilant and transparent about the health situation in their country: "When a club fails to inform UEFA of any restriction likely to affect the organization of a match and if, therefore, the match cannot take place or be rescheduled, the club in question will be held responsible.
And UEFA will then sanction the club concerned with a 0-3 loss. "
Atmosphere.
The spectator gauges applied in the league in each country participating in the Champions League:
France: behind closed doors in Paris and Marseille due to the curfew, 5,000 spectators in Rennes.
England: in camera.
Germany: Bayern Munich behind closed doors, gauge of 15% in Dortmund (11,500 spectators), gauge of 20% in Mönchengladbach (10,500) and gauge lowered to 999 supporters in Leipzig instead of 8,500 in the league.
Italy: tonnage possibly set at 1,000 people.
Spain: in camera.
Portugal: in camera.
Netherlands: in camera.
Russia: 30% gauge for Zenith Saint Petersburg (20,400), Lokomotiv Moscow (7,400) and Krasnodar (10,500).
Ukraine: in camera.
Greece: in camera.
Austria: 3,000 spectators allowed, or 10% of the capacity of the Salzburg stadium.
Belgium: gauge of 30%, or 9,000 people.
Denmark: 300 people (2% of the stadium capacity).
Hungary: 40% level, or 8,800 people.
Turkey: in camera.
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