The Macron government has tightened the restrictions for people without vaccination against COVID-19 and that affects the Champions League duels in its territory that will be played in the coming weeks: Lille-Chelsea and PSG-Real Madrid. “I’m not looking to annoy the French people,” the French president said in an interview with Le Parisien on Tuesday. “But for those who have not been vaccinated, yes. We will continue like this, that is our strategy.”
The statements come in the midst of a parliamentary debate on a new law, which, if approved, would make it difficult for anyone who does not have the Covid certificate. Starting next month, it would no longer be enough to present a negative test to enter restaurants, theaters… or the country itself. And next month there is the Champions League.
Real Madrid and Chelsea will face PSG and Lille respectively in the round of 16. The people of Madrid are scheduled to visit Paris on February 15, while the Londoners will cross the English Channel to play on March 16. As AS has learned, all the members of the Madrid squad are vaccinated, which would allow them to access French territory without any problem. Something similar happened with the Super Cup in Saudi Arabia. The entire white squad was able to travel without problems.
UEFA, in a statement, explained that the teams must, “in principle”, abide by the specific orders of each country. The highest body in European football is updating its own regulations on Covid. Current rules stipulate that the home team must propose an alternative neutral venue should government restrictions affect the visiting team.