UEFA have played down quotes attributed to their president Aleksander Ceferin regarding the end of the football season and has admitted that matches can be played in July and August if needed.
Plenty have speculated on when football will return from its global shutdown due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Premier League have now acknowledged that matches will not return in early May and there has been talk of leagues resuming in June or even July, depending on government guidelines.
However, new quotes taken from an interview with Ceferin appeared to suggest that European competition would have to be completed in early August.
"On August 3 everything must be finished, UCL and Europa League. The situation is extraordinary. We can play on the same dates as the local championships, at the same time, we must be flexible. If the crisis stops, we will start sooner," he is quoted as having told ZDF.
However, UEFA have now come out with a statement refuting that a date was set by their president and that July and August matches could be an option.
“It has been reported that UEFA President, Aleksander Ceferin told ZDF in Germany that the UEFA Champions League must finish by 3 August. This is not true. The President was very clear not to set exact dates for the end of the season.
"UEFA is currently analysing all options to complete domestic and European seasons with the European Club Association and the European Leagues in the working group set up on 17 March.
"The primary priority of all the members of the working group is to preserve public health.
"Following on from that, it is to find calendar solutions to complete all competitions. Options are currently being studied to play matches in July and in August if needed, depending on restart dates and the permission of national authorities."
