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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Alex Milne

Man Utd and Arsenal Europa League venue switches confirmed amid Covid-19 restrictions

Manchester United and Arsenal's Europa League last-32 first legs set for next Thursday against Real Sociedad and Benfica respectively have changed venues.

United's away leg will now take place in Turin at the Juventus Stadium while Arsenal's game will be in Rome.

And the Gunners' return 'home' leg will now take place in Athens rather than the Emirates Stadium.

The switches come due to strict coronavirus travelling rules implemented by both Spain and Portugal around passengers arriving from the UK.

Liverpool's Champions League game against RB Leipzig as well as Manchester City's against Borussia Monchengladbach have also been moved, with both those ties taking place at the Puskas Stadium in Budapest.

(Getty Images)

A statement from UEFA on the United game released on Tuesday afternoon read: "UEFA can confirm that the UEFA Europa League Round of 32 first leg match between Real Sociedad de Fútbol and Manchester United FC will now take place at the Juventus Stadium in Turin. The date of the match (18 February 2021) and kick-off time (18:55CET) will remain the same.

"UEFA would like to thank Real Sociedad de Fútbol and Manchester United FC for their close cooperation and assistance in finding a solution to the issue at hand, as well as the Italian Football Federation and Juventus for their support and agreeing to host the match in question." 

And Arsenal released a statement later which read: "Uefa has confirmed the venues for our forthcoming Europa League last-32 tie against Benfica.

"The matches are being held at neutral venues due to the current COVID-19 regulations.

The game will now take place at the Juventus Stadium in Turin (NurPhoto/PA Images)

"The first leg, which is Benfica’s 'home' fixture, will be played at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on February 18, at 8pm (UK time).

"Our 'home' fixture will be played at the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium in Athens, Olympiacos' stadium, on February 25. Kick-off has yet to be confirmed." 

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