• MANCHESTER CITY RATINGS: Ederson – 8. His extraordinary, incisive through ball put Zinchenko free to set up the first goal. His distribution was not always quite that solid, but he was a reassuring presence between the sticks for City. AFP
    MANCHESTER CITY RATINGS: Ederson – 8. His extraordinary, incisive through ball put Zinchenko free to set up the first goal. His distribution was not always quite that solid, but he was a reassuring presence between the sticks for City. AFP
  • Kyle Walker – 7. Involved in little drama, but he will take that, given the result on a night when the stakes were so high. AFP
    Kyle Walker – 7. Involved in little drama, but he will take that, given the result on a night when the stakes were so high. AFP
  • John Stones – 7. A stoic presence at the centre of City’s defence, even if it was his centre-back partner Dias who was making more of the most eye-catching blocks. AFP
    John Stones – 7. A stoic presence at the centre of City’s defence, even if it was his centre-back partner Dias who was making more of the most eye-catching blocks. AFP
  • Ruben Dias – 8. Bravely put his head in the way of a driven cross as PSG threatened just before half time, then again from a shot after the break. His courage inspired his team. AFP
    Ruben Dias – 8. Bravely put his head in the way of a driven cross as PSG threatened just before half time, then again from a shot after the break. His courage inspired his team. AFP
  • Oleksandr Zinchenko – 9.5. Will have had his heart in his mouth before being spared a penalty for handball after a VAR referral. Was celebrating not long after as he played a key role in City’s opener. Fully justified his selection in place of Cancelo. He was outstanding. EPA
    Oleksandr Zinchenko – 9.5. Will have had his heart in his mouth before being spared a penalty for handball after a VAR referral. Was celebrating not long after as he played a key role in City’s opener. Fully justified his selection in place of Cancelo. He was outstanding. EPA
  • Fernandinho – 7. Evaded an early booking despite a string of fouls. Which is standard. He played a small but important role in tempering Zinchenko when the game was won but PSG were losing their heads. AFP
    Fernandinho – 7. Evaded an early booking despite a string of fouls. Which is standard. He played a small but important role in tempering Zinchenko when the game was won but PSG were losing their heads. AFP
  • Ilkay Gundogan – 6. Made a timely interception when Di Maria was threatening to shoot just before the break, but was unusually lacking in influence in the midfield battle. AFP
    Ilkay Gundogan – 6. Made a timely interception when Di Maria was threatening to shoot just before the break, but was unusually lacking in influence in the midfield battle. AFP
  • Bernardo Silva – 6. His laxness in possession provided a chance for Di Maria to level, and he was lucky the former Manchester United midfielder shot wide. Outshone by his colleagues. AFP
    Bernardo Silva – 6. His laxness in possession provided a chance for Di Maria to level, and he was lucky the former Manchester United midfielder shot wide. Outshone by his colleagues. AFP
  • Riyad Mahrez – 8. Made no mistake when De Bruyne’s blocked shot fell to him in the 11th minute. Perky throughout as he gave Diallo a torrid night. Ideally placed to double his tally. EPA
    Riyad Mahrez – 8. Made no mistake when De Bruyne’s blocked shot fell to him in the 11th minute. Perky throughout as he gave Diallo a torrid night. Ideally placed to double his tally. EPA
  • Phil Foden – 9. Took a little time to warm to the task, but was purring by the time the interval arrived, notably with a fine mazy dribble. Magnificent wing play to set up Mahrez’s second, and was in his element as the game opened up. EPA
    Phil Foden – 9. Took a little time to warm to the task, but was purring by the time the interval arrived, notably with a fine mazy dribble. Magnificent wing play to set up Mahrez’s second, and was in his element as the game opened up. EPA
  • Kevin de Bruyne – 8. Perfectly assured just when his side needed him. Played an inch perfect pass for Foden to cross for Mahrez’s second goal. AFP
    Kevin de Bruyne – 8. Perfectly assured just when his side needed him. Played an inch perfect pass for Foden to cross for Mahrez’s second goal. AFP
  • SUB: Gabriel Jesus – NA. Not much time to do anything significant, but lucky to emerge unscathed after a reckless lunge from Kimpembe. AFP
    SUB: Gabriel Jesus – NA. Not much time to do anything significant, but lucky to emerge unscathed after a reckless lunge from Kimpembe. AFP
  • SUB: Raheem Sterling – NA. Arrived late to the party, and tried his best to add to the celebrations, but his attempts at quick passes were traded with tiring teammates. Reuters
    SUB: Raheem Sterling – NA. Arrived late to the party, and tried his best to add to the celebrations, but his attempts at quick passes were traded with tiring teammates. Reuters
  • SUB: Sergio Aguero – NA. Made an appearance on his farewell tour, but it felt more sentimental than purposeful. Reuters
    SUB: Sergio Aguero – NA. Made an appearance on his farewell tour, but it felt more sentimental than purposeful. Reuters
  • PSG RATINGS: Keylor Navas – 6. Kept out a shot from Mahrez with his legs from a similar position to which he was beaten when City took the lead. Dealt with a testing Foden shot at the start of the second half. EPA
    PSG RATINGS: Keylor Navas – 6. Kept out a shot from Mahrez with his legs from a similar position to which he was beaten when City took the lead. Dealt with a testing Foden shot at the start of the second half. EPA
  • Presnel Kimpembe – 6. Got treatment for a head knock in the first half. Had his socks around his ankles and looked exhausted by the end. Lucky only to see yellow for a wild hack at Jesus. Reuters
    Presnel Kimpembe – 6. Got treatment for a head knock in the first half. Had his socks around his ankles and looked exhausted by the end. Lucky only to see yellow for a wild hack at Jesus. Reuters
  • Marquinhos – 7. Made a dominant leap and should have levelled the score on the night, but saw his header hit the bar. Tried to raise his side, but by the end needed to keep a lid on their tempers instead. AFP
    Marquinhos – 7. Made a dominant leap and should have levelled the score on the night, but saw his header hit the bar. Tried to raise his side, but by the end needed to keep a lid on their tempers instead. AFP
  • Abdou Diallo – 5. Had plenty of opportunities to cross in dangerous positions, but wasted each of them. Started the second phase in lacklustre fashion with an unnecessary foul on Mahrez. AFP
    Abdou Diallo – 5. Had plenty of opportunities to cross in dangerous positions, but wasted each of them. Started the second phase in lacklustre fashion with an unnecessary foul on Mahrez. AFP
  • Alessando Florenzi – 5. Caught out of position by Ederson’s pass to Zinchenko for the opener, which earned the wrath of his manager. Subbed once the game had gone. AFP
    Alessando Florenzi – 5. Caught out of position by Ederson’s pass to Zinchenko for the opener, which earned the wrath of his manager. Subbed once the game had gone. AFP
  • Marco Verratti – 7. His scheming was part of the reason that the away side dominated possession of the ball in the first half, but he was petulant once it became obvious the tie was lost. EPA
    Marco Verratti – 7. His scheming was part of the reason that the away side dominated possession of the ball in the first half, but he was petulant once it became obvious the tie was lost. EPA
  • Leandro Paredes – 6. Seldom featured in anything progressive or creative, and mostly spotted when there was squabbling going on. Reuters
    Leandro Paredes – 6. Seldom featured in anything progressive or creative, and mostly spotted when there was squabbling going on. Reuters
  • Mauro Icardi – 3. No-one can replicate Mbappe’s pace, but Icardi often seemed unwilling to even try to break or press quickly. It felt like his side were playing with a player less while he was on. AFP
    Mauro Icardi – 3. No-one can replicate Mbappe’s pace, but Icardi often seemed unwilling to even try to break or press quickly. It felt like his side were playing with a player less while he was on. AFP
  • Neymar – 7. Without his regular foil – Mbappe, who was benched with an injury – alongside him, he looked less willing, or maybe able, to pick passes. EPA
    Neymar – 7. Without his regular foil – Mbappe, who was benched with an injury – alongside him, he looked less willing, or maybe able, to pick passes. EPA
  • Angel Di Maria – 4. Saw his shot from range go inches wide when he had the goal at his mercy after dispossessing Silva. Lost his head when he stamped on Fernandinho, and deservedly saw red. EPA
    Angel Di Maria – 4. Saw his shot from range go inches wide when he had the goal at his mercy after dispossessing Silva. Lost his head when he stamped on Fernandinho, and deservedly saw red. EPA
  • Ander Herrera – 7. Bolted around furiously trying to drive PSG back into the tie. Booked for a puerile response to being denied a free kick. Substituted for fear he was about to turn that into red. Reuters
    Ander Herrera – 7. Bolted around furiously trying to drive PSG back into the tie. Booked for a puerile response to being denied a free kick. Substituted for fear he was about to turn that into red. Reuters
  • SUB: Moise Kean – NA. The on-loan Everton striker had no chance to make an impression after coming on for the ineffectual Icardi, Reuters
    SUB: Moise Kean – NA. The on-loan Everton striker had no chance to make an impression after coming on for the ineffectual Icardi, Reuters
  • SUB: Julian Draxler – NA. The German forward was scarcely spotted after coming on when the tie was as good as lost already. EPA
    SUB: Julian Draxler – NA. The German forward was scarcely spotted after coming on when the tie was as good as lost already. EPA
  • SUB: Danilo – NA. Brought on apparently to calm PSG’s recklessness – only to be cautioned for an ugly challenge on Jesus. AFP
    SUB: Danilo – NA. Brought on apparently to calm PSG’s recklessness – only to be cautioned for an ugly challenge on Jesus. AFP
  • SUB: Colin Dagba – NA. Got an appearance fee, but little else after he was brought on late in the day. EPA
    SUB: Colin Dagba – NA. Got an appearance fee, but little else after he was brought on late in the day. EPA
  • SUB: Mitchel Bakker – NA. Not enough time to make a notable contribution, other than to blunt Mahrez’s chance of netting a third. EPA
    SUB: Mitchel Bakker – NA. Not enough time to make a notable contribution, other than to blunt Mahrez’s chance of netting a third. EPA

Football

Boris Johnson calls for Champions League final to be moved to Britain after Turkey put on UK's red list

Match between Manchester City and Chelsea slated for May 29 in Istanbul

Steve Luckings
Steve Luckings
Abu Dhabi

May 08, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has called for the Champions League final between Manchester City and Chelsea slated for May 29 to be held in Britain after the UK government placed Turkey on the travel red list.

British transport minister Grant Shapps said that travel to red list countries was not allowed except for in "the most extreme circumstances" and anyone returning from a red list country has to enter and pay for compulsory hotel quarantine.

Turkey has in recent weeks ranked fourth globally in terms of daily Covid-19 cases, prompting a nationwide lockdown this month until May 17. The move has started to curb the outbreak, with daily cases falling to around 20,000 on Friday from a peak above 63,000 in mid-April.

"It does mean that fans should not travel to Turkey," said Shapps, who raised the possibility of the match being moved to England.

Schapps said any decision on moving the showpiece final ultimately laid with European governing body Uefa.

"The FA [Football Association] are in discussions with Uefa. We are open to hosting but it is ultimately a decision for Uefa," he added.

The Sun newspaper quoted Johnson as saying that it "would be a great shame" if fans were unable to attend the match.

"It would be brilliant to host the game here if we can," The Sun reported Johnson as saying. "I want to help supporters of both clubs see their team in action."

The issue of whether players would be granted an exemption from the quarantine was not clear but a 14-day quarantine would impact players involved in Uefa's Euro 2020 which starts on June 11.

Uefa said they would take time to reflect on the UK government's decision.

Turkey, meanwhile, said that it had received no inclination from Uefa to acquiesce to the UK's demands.

"UK officials seem to insist but we are moving ahead according to Uefa directions and statements. There were no updates on this from an official channel, we will be hosting the final in Istanbul," a Turkish Football Federation spokesman said.

Media reports have said that Turkish football authorities had been hoping to allow tickets for at least 4,000 fans of each team as part of a 25,000 capacity crowd at the Ataturk Olympic Stadium.

Manchester City reached the final for the first time thanks to a 4-1 aggregate win over Paris Saint-Germain while Chelsea will contest a third final having overcome Real Madrid over two legs.

  • Chelsea fans celebrate outside their Stamford Bridge ground after beating Real Madrid 2-0 in their semi-final second leg and make the Champions League final where they will take on Manchester City. PA
    Chelsea fans celebrate outside their Stamford Bridge ground after beating Real Madrid 2-0 in their semi-final second leg and make the Champions League final where they will take on Manchester City. PA
  • Chelsea fans celebrate outside their Stamford Bridge ground after beating Real Madrid 2-0 in their semi-final second leg and make the Champions League final where they will take on Manchester City. PA
    Chelsea fans celebrate outside their Stamford Bridge ground after beating Real Madrid 2-0 in their semi-final second leg and make the Champions League final where they will take on Manchester City. PA
  • Chelsea fans celebrate outside their Stamford Bridge ground after beating Real Madrid 2-0 in their semi-final second leg and make the Champions League final where they will take on Manchester City. PA
    Chelsea fans celebrate outside their Stamford Bridge ground after beating Real Madrid 2-0 in their semi-final second leg and make the Champions League final where they will take on Manchester City. PA
  • Chelsea fans celebrate outside their Stamford Bridge ground after beating Real Madrid 2-0 in their semi-final second leg and make the Champions League final where they will take on Manchester City. PA
    Chelsea fans celebrate outside their Stamford Bridge ground after beating Real Madrid 2-0 in their semi-final second leg and make the Champions League final where they will take on Manchester City. PA
  • Chelsea fans celebrate outside their Stamford Bridge ground after beating Real Madrid 2-0 in their semi-final second leg and make the Champions League final where they will take on Manchester City. Reuters
    Chelsea fans celebrate outside their Stamford Bridge ground after beating Real Madrid 2-0 in their semi-final second leg and make the Champions League final where they will take on Manchester City. Reuters
  • Chelsea fans celebrate outside their Stamford Bridge ground after beating Real Madrid 2-0 in their semi-final second leg and make the Champions League final where they will take on Manchester City. PA
    Chelsea fans celebrate outside their Stamford Bridge ground after beating Real Madrid 2-0 in their semi-final second leg and make the Champions League final where they will take on Manchester City. PA
  • Chelsea fans celebrate outside their Stamford Bridge ground after beating Real Madrid 2-0 in their semi-final second leg and make the Champions League final where they will take on Manchester City. PA
    Chelsea fans celebrate outside their Stamford Bridge ground after beating Real Madrid 2-0 in their semi-final second leg and make the Champions League final where they will take on Manchester City. PA
  • Chelsea fans celebrate outside their Stamford Bridge ground after beating Real Madrid 2-0 in their semi-final second leg and make the Champions League final where they will take on Manchester City. PA
    Chelsea fans celebrate outside their Stamford Bridge ground after beating Real Madrid 2-0 in their semi-final second leg and make the Champions League final where they will take on Manchester City. PA
  • Police presence as Chelsea fans celebrate outside the ground. PA
    Police presence as Chelsea fans celebrate outside the ground. PA
  • Chelsea fans celebrate outside their Stamford Bridge ground after beating Real Madrid 2-0 in their semi-final second leg and make the Champions League final where they will take on Manchester City. PA
    Chelsea fans celebrate outside their Stamford Bridge ground after beating Real Madrid 2-0 in their semi-final second leg and make the Champions League final where they will take on Manchester City. PA
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