Manchester City’s Champions League showdown with Real Madrid will go ahead as scheduled despite the government’s clampdown on people travelling from Spain.
The UK decided yesterday to impose restrictions on anyone arriving in the country from Spain following a spike in coronavirus cases, requiring them to self-isolate for 14 days after touching down.
That immediately aroused fears that the second leg of City 's last 16 tie against the newly-crowned Spanish champions might be in doubt.
The game is set for Friday, August 7, and if the Real Madrid squad had been subject to the new rules, they would not even be able to play on that date if they had flown out instantly.
The rules have angered thousands of British holidaymakers, who face going straight into self-isolation when they return.
But the government has declared that Real Madrid will be made exempt from the rules, due to the strict protocols surrounding elite sports teams.
A spokesman for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport said “exempted individuals will live and work in controlled ‘bubbled’ environments behind closed doors” which applies to “sports stars, event officials, coaches, medics, mechanics and incoming members of the media.”
Uefa have confirmed that the fixture is expected to go ahead, after originally pondering a switch of the game to Lisbon.
But they have already reserved the right to change the venue if circumstances change.
The fixture was originally due to be played in March, but was postponed when a basketball player based at the same training complex as the football club tested positive for the virus.
That was followed by a complete lockdown on all football, until Uefa re-scheduled the remaining games.
The exemption is also expected to apply to City if they beat Madrid and so qualify for the tournament for the last eight, which begins in Lisbon on August 12 and ends with the August 23 final.
Portugal is also on the UK list of countries requiring self-isolation, and if the Blues had to observe those rules, it would play havoc with their preparations for the start of the new Premier League season on September 12.
But the DCMS exemptions will also apply to City if they make the last eight and return home after their tournament is over.
