UEFA Champions League final could move from Istanbul to Lisbon; here's why

UEFA Champions League is scheduled to be held in Istanbul. However, it can be moved to Lisbon amid concerns regarding civil disturbances after the presidential elections in Turkey.

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The 2022-23 UEFA Champions League (UCL) is in its business-end phase, with the semis currently halfway through. Things are already heating up, with the final set to be played at the Atatürk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul on June 10. However, there has been a concern regarding the venue of the final, as the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) is mulling moving it away.

As per the Daily Mail, UEFA could move the final to Lisbon following the recent concerns regarding a possible civil disturbance in Turkey following the presidential elections. While UEFA has already held talks with authorities about moving the final to the Stadium of Light in Lisbon, it might be reluctant to switch, given that there is less than a month left for the finale.

The tournament finale has already been moved from the nation on previous occasions, in 2020 and 2021, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, if President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's reign ends in the upcoming elections, there could be civil unrest, which could compel UEFA to make a late venue switch for the UCL finale. In contrast, an informal approach has already been made to the Portuguese Football Federation (PFF).