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Football London
Football London
Sport
Bobby Vincent

Turkey travel restrictions as Chelsea and Man City fans eye Champions League final trip

Chelsea are through to the Champions League final after a dominant Stamford Bridge performance earned them a two-legged victory over Real Madrid.

The Blues, who won 2-0 on the night and 3-1 on aggregate, will feature in their first final in this competition since they won it back in 2012 - with Premier League rivals Manchester City to face on May 29.

The match between Chelsea and City will take place at the Ataturk Stadium in Istanbul, Turkey.

UEFA lifted its cap on fans being allowed into stadiums, meaning supporters could be allowed to travel to the Champions League final.

On October 1, 2020, the European governing body confirmed that they would only allow 30 per cent of spectators to attend live games.

However, there are other complications regarding traveling to Turkey.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the UK Government has formed a 'red list' and a 'green list' of countries that you're allowed to go to in these unprecedented times.

According to the Daily Mail, Turkey's high infection rate at present means it is set to be placed on the UK's 'amber list' on May 17 - the date when some Covid-19 restrictions are being eased.

Politicians have indicated in recent weeks that they think the ban on international travel could be lifted on the same day.

Being on the amber list means that a spectator arriving back in the UK would have to undergo a 10-day quarantine, as well as three Covid-19 tests.

The Government is set to announce its traffic light system for travelling abroad later this week, after missing its initial Saturday deadline, according to ITV.

As well as all the complications regarding flying from the UK, Chelsea and City supporters also face an anxious wait to see if Turkey will allow visitors from the British Isles.

Turkey entered a three-week lockdown last week, but they've yet to confirm whether traveling fans are allowed to attend the match.

UEFA are planning to allow a minimum of 9,000 fans inside of the stadium, but international arrivals make this slightly more complicated, even if the UK give the green light for Blues supporters.

However, the final decision on how many supporters will be allowed to attend, and how the tickets will be allocated, will be made by the Turkish Government.

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