Manchester United’s Champions League tie against Swiss side Young Boys at Old Trafford on 8 December could be moved, postponed. Among other football news today, UEFA’s Champions League could delay Manchester United vs Young Boys because of increasing Covid-19 restrictions.
Manchester United have already qualified into Champions League’s knockout round as Group F winners.
However, Young Boys could still secure a place in the Europa League if they emulate their home victory in September. They won 2-1 over the Premier League side.
Champions League Could Delay Manchester United vs Young Boys
The new Omicron variant has enforced new COVID regulations mean that anyone entering Switzerland from the UK has to isolate. That is, they have to remain in quarantine for 10 days.
Still, European football’s governing body UEFA is seeking clarification over whether that would apply to the Young Boys party.
If so, then UEFA rules state that they must secure a neutral venue, other than the current one – Old Trafford. Another option for UEFA is that they could move the game to a different date.
But if United do move the game, this delay would cost hosts United millions of pounds in lost gate receipts.
Switzerland is among a number of European countries to reimpose coronavirus restrictions amid a surge in cases across the continent. This move has affected their sporting events, too, but it may be necessary.
Also, Bayern Munich’s game at home to Barcelona in the Champions League on 8 December could be behind closed doors.
Markus Soder, the Minister-President of Bavaria, which includes Munich, has said he plans to prevent fans from attending sports events in the German state because of a rise in coronavirus infections, although, even he cannot offer up a revised timetable for bringing in such measures.
“Football matches should be without spectators again. Bavaria will do that,” Soder said on Twitter.
“Football has a great role model function. We must now reduce contacts everywhere.”
Other Sporting Events
Last week, West Ham played against Rapid Vienna in Europa League behind closed doors. This change was part of a new national lockdown in Austria.
Meanwhile, all football matches in the Netherlands play without fans after their government implemented a partial lockdown earlier in November.
Bayern have qualified for the knockout stages as Group E winners, with Barcelona and Benfica battling it out for the runners-up spot that will also secure a last-16 place. Benfica play Dynamo Kyiv in their final game in the same group.
