Football’s calendar has been left completely in limbo due to the coronavirus outbreak, which basically halting all leagues around the world during March.
The UEFA Champions League and Europa League were entering the final knockout stages when the COVID-19 pandemic forced their indefinite postponement.
However, UEFA are allegedly hoping to play the 2020 Champions League final in late August, three months after it was originally scheduled to be played in Istanbul.
UEFA have already postponed the 2020 European Championships in a bid to allow domestic European leagues to complete their 2019-20 seasons, entering into June, July and August, which was outlined in a letter sent to national associations a fortnight ago.
The proposed late August date for European club football’s centrepiece, which typically concludes the continental season, is an insight into UEFA’s planning with debate ongoing about domestic 2019-20 campaigns.
It is understood, UEFA’s Champions League date hinges on club football returning among domestic leagues, which the governing body have insisted shouldn’t be prematurely ended.
Belgium have already determined to conclude their 2019-20 season, with Club Brugge made champions, while the Scottish Professional Football League have voted to wrap up their lower leagues, with a contingency plan in place for the top flight Premiership.
Other leagues remain in discussions about how they will complete their 2019-20 seasons, with several suspended until early May and uncertain about when they may be able to proceed. Clubs in Germany have returned to restricted training in small groups.