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Ajax has won the Dutch Eredivisie league for the 35th time since defeating Emmen 4-0, prompting police to appeal in vain to fans not to celebrate outside the Johan Cruyff Arena. Until full time on Sunday, Amsterdam police advised fans not to go to the stadium because the surrounding streets were still congested. On the other hand, thousands of players were cheering the championship even before the final whistle, sending off red flares and fireworks outside the arena, which was vacant due to coronavirus precautions.
The win gave the Amsterdam superpower a domestic league. It cupped double for the second time in three seasons, and it came just two days after coach Erik ten Hag extended his deal amid reports that he could replace Jose Mourinho as Tottenham manager. “But we are Ajax and we want more,” he said, referring to Ajax’s quarter-final appearance in the Europa League, where Roma defeated them.
The players relocated to the stadium’s elevated parking lot after celebrating in the vacant Johan Cruyff Arena, It was yet another victory for one of Europe’s best teams, who, much to Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola’s surprise, were considered too small to play in the ill-fated European Super League. As other European leagues drew to an end, Slavia Prague won their third Czech league title in a row with five games to spare, capping a dominant season in which the club won their 21st title overall.
After city rivals Sparta Prague drew their match with Liberec, the club claimed the Czech First League title and played their Sunday evening match against Viktoria Plzen.
With 12,000 Chelsea and Man City supporters in attendance, the Champions League final was moved to Portugal.
The Ataturk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul was supposed to host a European showpiece. Still, the UK government’s decision to put Turkey on the red list of Covid-19 travel destinations prompted a change in the schedule. As lockdown constraints at major sporting activities continue to relax, two Premier League heavyweights will still face off on May 29 in front of 6,000 supporters from each team.
“UEFA proposed transferring the match to England. But, despite exhaustive attempts on the part of the Football Association and the authorities, it was not possible to secure the required exemptions from UK quarantine arrangements,” UEFA said in an official statement, with numerous stadiums in England initially put up as alternative sites.
“The Portuguese authorities and the FPF stepped in and collaborated immediately and smoothly with UEFA to provide a suitable venue for the final, and since Portugal is on England’s green list, fans and players watching the final will not have to quarantine when they come home.” “The decision is accompanied by deep remorse for the work undertaken by Turkish football officials during the last two years to ensure the fruitful staging of the final in Istanbul. UEFA appreciates their continuing cooperation and cooperative nature and their appreciation in this particular situation and will look at potential possibilities for Istanbul immediately.
” Fans of the opposite teams, on the other hand, will be able to purchase tickets directly from the clubs, with the 6,000 tickets per club going on sale as soon as possible starting today. The general public will be able to purchase tickets starting on May 24, 2021, at 1400 CEST.”
In 2019-20, Portugal hosted the final stages of the Champions League, with the decision made to play one-off matches rather than two-legged ties from the quarter-finals onwards – Bayern Munich ultimately winning the competition. Lisbon was at the center of continental rivalry at the time. Still, the focus will now shift to Porto as Chelsea looks to repeat their 2012 performance and Manchester City looks for their first European Cup victory.
“Fans have been without the chance to watch their teams live for over a year, and winning the Champions League final is the pinnacle of club football.” It was not a choice to deny those fans the opportunity to attend the game, and I am pleased that a consensus has been reached. “After the year that supporters have had, it is inexcusable that they are denied the opportunity to see their teams play in the season’s most fantastic game.
“We’ve turned to our friends in Portugal again to assist UEFA and the Champions League, and I’m thankful to the FPF and the Portuguese Government, as always, for agreeing to host the match at such short notice.
“They’ve worked relentlessly under stringent deadlines to find answers to the many obstacles that hosting a game of this size entails. Whenever a challenge has arisen, they have come up with innovative ideas, and the success of hosting this year’s final is primarily due to their hard work and perseverance.
“We agree that the British Government’s decision to put Turkey on the travel blacklist was made in good conscience and in the best interests of shielding its people from the virus’ dissemination. But it posed us with a huge obstacle in staging a final featuring two English teams.” “The challenges of moving the final are great, and the FA and the authorities went to great lengths to try to stage the match in England, and I’d like to thank them for their efforts.” “The Turkish football federation and Turkish authorities have applauded UEFA’s efforts to allow fans of opposing clubs to watch the match.”
The Turkish Football Federation and the Turkish authorities have long been dependable UEFA partners, and Turkey has hosted many UEFA events with considerable success over the years. Shortly, I expect to be in Istanbul and Turkey for the Champions League final and several other activities.
“I hope that the final will serve as a beacon of hope for Europe’s reemergence from a tough time, and that the supporters who flock to the game will once again be able to lend their voices to promoting this final as the best in club football.” Hope the fans will be supporting the match and make a way to win.
