PSG to play Champions League matches abroad

Paris Saint-Germain have already qualified for the Champions League last eight and have to play two more home matches.
French government has banned football matches until at least September
UEFA hope to restart tournament in August, with final at the end of the month
PSG chairman said they will play ‘home’ games abroad to fulfil fixtures

Paris Saint-Germain have confirmed they will play their remaining ‘home’ fixtures in the UEFA Champions League abroad afters France banned all sporting activities until September.

The French government have announced that in a bid to contain the coronavirus pandemic outbreak, football games – even without spectators – will not be allowed. This left participation of French teams (PSG and Lyon) in the Champions League in doubt as the competition is planned to restart in August with a completion by the end of the month.

However, PSG chairman Nasser Al-Khelaifi said in a statement that while they respect the actions of the French government, they fully intend to feature in Europe’s premier club competition by playing their home fixtures outside of France.

We respect of course the French Government decision.We plan on competing in the Champions League with UEFA agreement – wherever and whenever it is held. If it is not possible to play in France we will play our matches abroad subject to the best conditions for our players and the safety of all our staff.
Nasser Al-Khelaifi, PSG chairman

Lyon, another French side who remain in the tournament, are yet to disclose their plans for competing but will likely follow suit. They are yet to play their home match against Juventus in round of 16.

PSG have already booked their berth in the quarter-finals after defeating Borussia Dortmund 3-2 shortly before the pandemic brought football and everything halt across the world.

It means that if the French champions wish to win the tournament for the first time they will have to play two of their remaining ‘home matches’ abroad in the quarter-finals and semi-final.

Thomas Tuchel’s side do risk heading into the competition a little unprepared as there would not be any domestic competition owing to the government’s measurements. PSG were leading Ligue 1 and it is likely they will be awarded their seventh top flight title in eight years.

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