Europa League Qualification - New Rules

MurtyMania

Well-Known Member
For this coming season, due to the coronavirus complications, UEFA have made some rules that could result in a whole host of cancellations and forfeits.

@DaleJohnsonESPN
UEFA will hold the UCL and UEL qualifying draws taking into consideration known travel restrictions between countries, e.g. border closures and quarantine requirements. It is the responsibility of the clubs to inform UEFA of these restrictions.

If COVID-19 restrictions affect a visiting club, the home club must propose a suitable alternative venue which may be in a neutral country. If the home club fails to propose such a venue, the visiting club may be awarded a 3-0 victory.

If COVID-19 restrictions of a visiting club's own national/local authority prevent them from traveling, the home club must propose a suitable venue which the away club is able to access (or UEFA appoints). If either club refuses, the other may be awarded a 3-0 victory

Now this is a big one. If, after the deadline to provide info for the draw at UEFA, a country places restrictions which make the tie impossible, it is forfeited. So, Tottenham drawn at home to team from Romania. UK then bans travel from Romania. Spurs would forfeit the tie.

In the same scenario, if the governments of both the UK and Romania banned travel between the countries after the draw deadline, both are held 'responsible' and UEFA can disqualify BOTH clubs from the Champions League / Europa League.

Now onto UEFA's COVID-19 testing protocol. If players or coaches test positive, match WILL still go ahead as long as min 13 players registered on the A list (must include one goalkeeper) are available. If fewer than 13, tie may be rescheduled or additional players registered.

If a club has fewer than 13 players on the A list (including one goalkeeper) available, and it is not possible to reschedule the match within stipulated deadlines (UEFA has published these), the team will forfeit the tie. A referee who tests positive will be replaced.

If, for any reason, the qualifying phase and/or play-offs of the Champions League and Europa League cannot be completed, the UEFA Executive Committee will decide on the principles for determining the clubs qualified for the group stage.
 
It would be sensible to cancel this years competitions to see how this thing pans out.
Big fear is SF/SNP will ensure Scotland’s border remains open to ensure that Sporting Wing do as well as possible.
 
It would be sensible to cancel this years competitions to see how this thing pans out.
Big fear is SF/SNP will ensure Scotland’s border remains open to ensure that Sporting Wing do as well as possible.

%^*& that - we need the money
 
If COVID-19 restrictions affect a visiting club, the home club must propose a suitable alternative venue which may be in a neutral country. If the home club fails to propose such a venue, the visiting club may be awarded a 3-0 victory.

Do the extracts above and below not contradict one another? Or am I reading it wrong. The above seems to suggest if a visiting club can't travel then the home club has to propose an alternative venue. The extract below says the home club (Spurs) forfeit the tie.

Now this is a big one. If, after the deadline to provide info for the draw at UEFA, a country places restrictions which make the tie impossible, it is forfeited. So, Tottenham drawn at home to team from Romania. UK then bans travel from Romania. Spurs would forfeit the tie.
 
If COVID-19 restrictions affect a visiting club, the home club must propose a suitable alternative venue which may be in a neutral country. If the home club fails to propose such a venue, the visiting club may be awarded a 3-0 victory.

Do the extracts above and below not contradict one another? Or am I reading it wrong. The above seems to suggest if a visiting club can't travel then the home club has to propose an alternative venue. The extract below says the home club (Spurs) forfeit the tie.

Now this is a big one. If, after the deadline to provide info for the draw at UEFA, a country places restrictions which make the tie impossible, it is forfeited. So, Tottenham drawn at home to team from Romania. UK then bans travel from Romania. Spurs would forfeit the tie.
Yeah agreed, that isn't very clear.

Overall it just adds to my suspicion that European qualification is going to be absolute pot luck this year, and we should calibrate expectations accordingly.

EDIT: I think, reading it again, the key section is that you can only propose a neutral venue if the restrictions are known about before the draw?
 
Travel has never really been banned to other countries.

Always just non-essential travel.

The European qualifiers will be classed as essential travel on a chartered flight so we will never have this problem.
 
It would be sensible to cancel this years competitions to see how this thing pans out.
Big fear is SF/SNP will ensure Scotland’s border remains open to ensure that Sporting Wing do as well as possible.

Scary to think that people actually believe this sort of thing happens...
 
You can bet the entire year’s mortgage on one team in Scotland benefiting from this
 
I can see a scenario occuring where Scotland lift a ban on a country if it means keeping the scum in the Champions league qualifiers. Its that corrupt.
 
Well all that seems fair. Just when you think you can't despise these organisations more. Seems safer to be away. Technically you could win the effing thing and never play a game!
 
Reads to me that Doncaster has had a fair input into these new rules, with a guiding hand from his good pal, Peter.
Heads you lose, tails you lose unless your team name begins with C.
 
I can see a scenario occuring where Scotland lift a ban on a country if it means keeping the scum in the Champions league qualifiers. Its that corrupt.

They have no say in the control of the UK border, that is solely a matter for the government.
What they can do is impact on devolved health issues, eg quarantine restrictions for certain countries though understood that given testing etc, clubs would be exempt from this in any event.
 
Back
Top