COVID-19: Football set to return to normal– UEFA President

UEFA president, Aleksander Ceferin is sure of the return of football despite the global crisis caused by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Onyxnews Nigeria reported that the Bundesliga made a successful return to action behind closed doors at the weekend and many other leagues are preparing to come back in front of empty stands, with Ceferin having the confidence that the situation will soon improve.

This reliable online news platform understands that domestic and continental club competitions were suspended across Europe in March due to the COVID-19 crisis and Euro 2020 was postponed.

Asked whether he would bet a million dollars that Euro 2020 would be played in 2021, he said: “Yes, I would. I don’t know why it wouldn’t be. “I don’t think that this virus will last forever. I think it will (change) sooner than many think.

“I don’t like this apocalyptic view that we have to wait for the second and third waves or even a fifth wave.”

Ceferin said football would follow the recommendations of the authorities but he was optimistic that normal service could be resumed in the near future.

He also said: “I’m absolutely sure, personally, that good old football with fans will come back very soon,” he said. And UEFA’s Ceferin said he did not expect the football game to be profoundly changed by the coronavirus.

“Football didn’t change after the Second World War, or First World War, and it will not change because of a virus either,” the chief of European football’s governing body said.

Speaking on the manchester city UEFA ban, Ceferin says ‘too many people’ are commenting on topics they ‘do not have a clue about’ regarding Manchester City’s two-year ban from European competition, as he suggested changes could be made to Financial Fair Play regulations in the future.

City were handed the ban, as well as a €30million fine, for ‘serious breaches’ of the FFP rules. The club have always maintained their innocence and their intention to appeal, with the Court of Arbitration for Sport yesterday setting a date for their case to be heard next month.

The June 8-10 hearing means City could find out whether they will be allowed to compete in next season’s Champions League competition before the suspended 2019/20 campaign ends.