As seven English clubs, including Man Utd and Liverpool, play in Europe in the coming months, the situation will be closely monitored
Football is a global business and certain competitions, such as the Champions League or the World Cup, by their nature bring together teams from all over the world.
Usually it creates a wonderful spectacle and fans marvel at the contrasting styles of teams from different countries, but it becomes a headache during a global pandemic.
The ever-changing nature of the Covid-19 public health situation was difficult to manage, and even introduced travel bans from the United Kingdom across European countries in December.
Cases of Covid-19 linked to a mutated strain of the virus in England have caused concern among neighboring countries in Europe and beyond.
Are there any chances that these bans will have an impact on the upcoming European football matches? Goal he glances.
Will travel bans affect Premier League clubs?
There is very little chance that travel bans from the UK could affect upcoming Champions League and Europa League matches involving Premier League clubs.
Numerous countries around the world have introduced temporary travel bans from the UK following news that a mutated strain of Covid-19 is causing an increase in infections in England.
These countries include Spain, France, Italy and Germany, among others. Austria and Portugal have also introduced measures, while the Czech Republic says travelers from the UK will have to isolate.
As of midnight tonight (Berlin time), all flights from the UK to Germany have been banned due to a coronavirus mutation. Click below for more information. https://t.co/IjTBugPww9
– German Embassy in London (@GermanEmbassy) December 20, 2020
In the Champions League, Manchester City and Liverpool will face German Borussia Monchengladbach and RB Leipzig, while Chelsea will play with Spanish clothing Sevilla.
Four English teams remain in the Europa League, Arsenal will play against Portuguese Benfica, while Manchester United drew against Spanish Real Sociedad.
Tottenham will score against Austrian Wolfsberger, and Leicester will face the Czech Republic in the form of Slavia Prague.
The travel bans and warnings issued are short-lived, usually lasting only a few days, although in the case of Germany it has been extended by two weeks until 6 January.
Diplomats are working together to find a solution. In fact, the European Union has encouraged countries to lift travel bans and allow basic travel, while reducing trade disruptions.
# COVID19: Travel from the UK to France will soon resume from midnight tonight (December 22), subject to possession of a negative (recognized PCR or antigen) test result.
Click here for all details: https://t.co/cpYeneGh1Y https://t.co/6l2tykxQHr
– French Embassy in Great Britain (@FranceintheUK) December 22, 2020
In some cases, as in France, certain workers are allowed to enter the country provided they can present a negative antigen test – something that is likely to apply in the case of football.
However, given how quickly things can change, it is possible that some countries will expand the restrictions.
Last season, due to public health concerns related to Covid-19, UEFA decided to complete the knockout in the Champions League and Europa League by setting up mini-tournaments in Portugal and Germany.
When will the Premier League clubs next play in Europe?
The fact that the schedule of matches of the knockout phase of the Champions League and the Europa League should not be played until February or March gives reason for optimism that the matches will not be affected.
| Date | Fixture | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 16 | RB Leipzig vs Liverpool | Leipzig, Hotel Germany |
| Feb 18 | Wolfsberger vs Tottenham | Klagenfurt, Hotel Austria |
| Feb 18 | Real Sociedad – Man Utd | San Sebastian, Hotel Spain |
| Feb 18 | Benfica vs Arsenal | Lisbon, Portugal |
| Feb 18 | Slavia Prague vs Leicester | Prague, Czech Republic |
| Feb 23 | Atletico Madrid vs Chelsea | Madrid, Hotel Spain |
| Feb 24 | Borussia Monchengladbach vs Man City | Monchengladbach, Hotel Germany |
| March 10 | Liverpool vs RB Leipzig | Liverpool, England |
| March 16 | Man CIty vs Borussia Monchengladbach | Manchester, England |
| March 17 | Chelsea vs Atletico Madrid | London, England |
| March 24 | Tottenham vs Wolfsberger | London, England |
| March 25 | Man Utd – Real Sociedad | Manchester, England |
| March 25 | Arsenal vs Benfica | London, England |
| March 25 | Leicester vs Slavia Prague | Leicester, England |
Liverpool are scheduled to play their first game in the last 16 Champions League games against RB Leipzig in Germany on February 16, and the return match is scheduled for March 10 at Anfield.
Chelsea is scheduled to play at Atletico Madrid on February 23 in Spain, and Stamford Bridge will host the Spanish side on March 17.
Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola’s Man City have not currently faced Monchengladbach in Germany on February 24 before hosting them at the Etihad Stadium on March 16.
In the Europa League, the dates are falling at the same time, and the matches in which Man Utd, Arsenal, Tottenham and Leicester have played are played on 18 February and 25 March.
You can see all the dates in the table above.