UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has provided an optimistic update on plans to finish this season's Champions League and Europa League competitions behind closed doors.
European football's governing body has a "concrete plan" to finish the two competitions, which were brought to a halt in March - like most football around the world - due to the coronavirus pandemic.
But with German football's top two divisions having restarted on Sunday, albeit without crowds and with social distancing measures in place, Ceferin is adamant the cross-continent competitions will be finished as well.
At the time of the suspension, Manchester United had one foot in the Europa League quarter-finals, having thrashed LASK 5-0 in their last 16 first leg. And Manchester City were targeting the Champions League last eight after an excellent 2-1 victory away to Real Madrid.
“We have a concrete plan of finishing the European season," Ceferin revealed, speaking to broadcaster beIN SPORTS.
"Of course, this summer we will have to play without spectators at the stadiums. I think the majority of leagues will finish the season. The ones who will not, it’s their decision. But they will still have to play qualifiers if they want to participate in the European UEFA competition."
Exactly how UEFA plan to restart remains to be seen. But after it postponed the European Championship planned for this summer by 12 months, there is space for club competitions to be played.
On the logistics of how a resumption will work, Ceferin added: "We have an idea but we have to wait for the executive committee of UEFA to confirm the dates. I can say that the European season will be finished, if everything is as it is now, in August. As things look now, I’m sure… that we can finish the European season and this means UEFA competition.
“The national leagues are a separate thing and they will decide separately how they want to proceed. But as I said before, I think at least 80 per cent will finish the season.
“For now, it looks as though the calendar will not be affected much, especially the calendar of UEFA competitions. The calendar is very dense, so we don’t have much space to change things.
“Football brings positive energy. It’s easier to be home if you can watch sports! So I think it’s a great [example of] cooperation between the German league and the German government. I hope, and think, they will be very successful."
