Real Madrid and Chelsea might have to drop their players that are not vaccinated when they travel to France to honor their away game in the UEFA Champions League round of 16.
On February 15, 2022, Real Madrid are expected to be in Paris, France to take on Paris Saint Germain in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League round of 16. The game is scheduled to kick off at 21:00 at Parc Des Princes.
While Chelsea are expected to travel to France to take on Lille in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League round of 16 on March 16, 2022. The Champions League match is scheduled to kick off at 21:00.
Before then, Lille will travel to London, to play the first leg of the round at the Stamford Bridge on February 22 at 21:00.
Unfortunately for the unvaccinated players in both Chelsea and Real Madrid squads, lawmakers in France have approved modification in covid-19 restrictions which would prevent people including athletes from mingling with others in public without being vaccinated against covid-19.
However, those who have just recovered from the virus are allowed to participate in any public event based on the new covid-19 rule which will take effect on Monday, January 24, 2022.
Based on this, Chelsea and Real Madrid are expected to ensure that all their players are fully vaccinated before they travel to France to honor their Champions League away fixture.
If they can not achieve that before the scheduled date for the game, the two clubs are expected to leave the unvaccinated players behind before they embark on their journey to France.
Unfortunately for Real Madrid and Chelsea, the European football governing body, UEFA, will not protect the clubs against the new rule in France. UEFA has made it clear through a statement that matches would be played in line with the covid-19 protocol in the host countries.
“UEFA is liaising with the relevant stakeholders across Europe ahead of the resumption of UEFA’s club competitions in February,” a statement UEFA issued to ESPN read.
“The specific conditions under which matches are played in each country are subject to the decisions of the competent authorities in that country.
“Each team will in principle be required to comply with the applicable rules in the country where the match takes place, but the specific competition Annexes — still under elaboration — which contain special rules due to COVID-19 applicable to the knockout phase, may provide further guidance in this regard.”
As it stands, the major option Real Madrid and Chelsea have in regards to the new rule in France is that they can decide to take advantage of UEFA’s Annex J rule especially the aspect which states that if covid-19 restrictions apply to visiting teams,” the home club must propose a suitable alternative venue … which may be in a neutral country”.
At the time of publishing this report, Real Madrid and Chelsea were yet to officially react to the development in France. Hence, the last has not to been heard of the new covid-19 restriction.
