The 2020-2021 UEFA draws for European clubs competition group stage and 2019/2020 awards would no longer hold in Athens, Greece. The events have been moved to Nyon, Switzerland. European football governing body UEFA announced this today, September 9, 2020.
In a statement published on UEFA official website, the football governing body said the events which are scheduled to take place on 1 and 2 October 2020, had to be moved to a new venue due to public health reasons.
UEFA said the football body arrived at the decision after due negotiations with Greek authorities. The country which is still battling the coronavirus pandemic has banned social events in the country and it will be a breach of the government’s imposed restrictions if the event is allowed to hold in Greece.
UEFA statement read: “Following a series of talks with the Greek authorities, UEFA today announced its decision to relocate the upcoming European Club Football Season Kick-Off from Athens, Greece, to Nyon, Switzerland, on 1 and 2 October 2020.
“The event comprises the draws for the group stage of the 2020/21 UEFA Champions and UEFA Europa League, as well as the awards to the best players and coaches of the 2019/20 season.
“In spite of the globally acknowledged effective handling of the COVID-19 pandemic by the Greek authorities, all parties agreed that the top priority must remain public health and that it currently would not be possible to organize an event of such a size with guests in Athens, as it would violate public health restrictions and constraints regarding indoor events.
“The events at UEFA Headquarters in Nyon – which will be broadcast across the globe – will take place behind closed doors (with no club representatives or media, but with awards winners).”
Below is the schedule for the UEFA club competition group stage draws and awards:
Thursday 1 October – 18:00CEST
2020/21 UEFA Champions League group stage draw and 2019/20 awards.
Friday 2 October – 13.00CEST
2020/21 UEFA Europa League group stage draw and 2019/20 UEFA Europa League player of the season.
🇨🇭 The 2020/21 club competition group stage draws and 2019/20 awards will now take place in Nyon, Switzerland.
— UEFA (@UEFA) September 9, 2020
🏆 1 October – @ChampionsLeague group stage draw and 2019/20 awards.
🏆 2 October – @EuropaLeague group stage draw and 2019/20 player of the season award.
Below is the schedule for 2020-2021 UEFA Champions League:
08/08/2020–11/08/2020 Preliminary round
18/08/2020–19/08/2020 – First qualifying round
25/08/2020–26/08/2020 – Second qualifying round
15/09/2020–16/09/2020 – Third qualifying round
22/09/2020–30/09/2020 – Play-offs
Group stage
20/10/2020–21/10/2020 – Matchday 1
27/10/2020–28/10/2020 – Matchday 2
03/11/2020–04/11/2020 – Matchday 3
24/11/2020–25/11/2020 – Matchday 4
01/12/2020–02/12/2020 – Matchday 5
08/12/2020–09/12/2020 – Matchday 6
Knockout stages
16/02/2021–17/03/2021 – Round of 16
06/04/2021–14/04/2021 – Quarter-finals
27/04/2021–05/05/2021 – Semi-finals
29/05/2021 – Final
