UEFA is considering hosting the Champions League final in the United States, potentially as early as 2027.
This development follows UEFA and the European Club Association (ECA) entering exclusive negotiations with Relevent Sports, a New York-based agency, for global commercial rights to men's club competitions from 2027 to 2033.
Relevent Sports, founded by Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross, has a history of organizing major football events, including the International Champions Cup, and aims to bring significant European matches to U.S. soil.
UEFA President Aleksander Čeferin has previously acknowledged this possibility, stating, "Football is extremely popular in the United States these days. Americans are willing to pay [high ticket prices] for the best."
The potential shift to U.S. venues is part of a broader strategy to expand the global reach of European football and tap into the lucrative American market.
This move would mark a significant departure from tradition, as the Champions League final has historically been held in Europe.
The proposed partnership with Relevent Sports could pave the way for this change, with discussions suggesting that a final in the U.S. could occur by 2033.
Relevent Sports has been at the forefront of promoting European football in the U.S., and their collaboration with UEFA could facilitate this landmark event.
However, this proposal has sparked debate among fans and stakeholders.
Traditionalists argue that relocating the final could undermine the competition's European heritage and inconvenience local supporters.
Conversely, proponents believe it would enhance the sport's global profile and generate substantial revenue.
As UEFA and Relevent Sports continue their negotiations, the football community awaits a decision that could redefine the landscape of European club football.
Liverpool fans are eagerly awaiting news regarding the extent of Diogo Jota's injury, which forced him to leave the pitch during the team’s 2-1 win against Chelsea.
In the first half, Jota was injured following a challenge from Tosin Adarabioyo near the halfway line. He was substituted after just 30 minutes, with Darwin Nunez stepping in for him.
Currently, Jota is undergoing assessments from Liverpool’s medical team, but coach Arne Slot is preparing for the possibility that he will miss the Champions League match against RB Leipzig on Wednesday.
Following the match, Slot remarked on Liverpool's website, "Diogo had to be substituted, and I am not sure what it is, but I’d be surprised if he is there on Wednesday.
"Should Jota be unavailable, Nunez is almost certain to start against Leipzig, despite his challenging start to the season under Slot, having only netted once so far.
If Jota ends up sidelined for a few weeks, it will place significant pressure on Darwin to find the net during a tough series of matches.
According to Physio Scout on X/Twitter, Jota is thought to have sustained a rib injury from the collision. Although he attempted to continue after an on-field evaluation, he ultimately could not.
The potential scenarios for Jota's injury include either a rib contusion (bruise) or a rib fracture.
Rib injuries typically involve pain management, with recovery from a contusion generally taking 1-2 weeks. However, scans are necessary to confirm the absence of a fracture, which would prolong the recovery time.
Rib injuries are known for being particularly painful, which may explain why Jota was unable to carry on playing. If it is confirmed as a rib contusion, he might return in a couple of weeks; conversely, a fracture could lead to a recovery period of 4-6 weeks.