THE UEFA Executive Committee has confirmed scheduling changes to this season’s UEFA Champions League qualification and group stage rounds in light of the current COVID-19 coronavirus crisis.

It means that all qualifying rounds will be played in single legs, instead of home and away, with the exception of the play-off round which will remain over two legs. The draw will determine which club hosts each qualifying match.

The moves seek to create minimal disruption to the competition’s recognised format, and UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin considers the adjustments key to getting supporters back in stadiums sooner rather than later.

The UEFA President said said: “I am delighted that we are able to resume almost all of our competitions. I am confident that we will not have to endure the fans’ absence for long and that they will be allowed into stadiums sooner rather than later.

“The football community has worked together and shown tremendous unity during this unprecedented crisis. I would like to thank FIFA, our sister confederations, national associations, clubs, leagues, players and the relevant authorities for their continuous support and commitment and I am convinced that we come out of this crisis stronger and with closer links than ever before.

“I would like to convey a heartfelt message of appreciation and gratitude to the hundreds of thousands of unsung heroes who worked tirelessly on the frontline during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is their dedication and bravery that has allowed our societies and football to return so quickly. Without their effort and sacrifices, none of this would have been possible.”

The new calendar of the qualifying phase and group stage for the 2020/21 UEFA Champions League is as follows:

- Preliminary round: 8 and 11 August

- First qualifying round: 18/19 August

- Second qualifying round: 25/26 August

- Third qualifying round: 15/16 September

- Play-offs: 22/23 and 29/30 September

- Group stage: 20/21 and 27/28 October; 3/4 and 24/25 November; 1/2 and 8/9 December

Subsequent rounds post-Christmas will be scheduled as normal.

UEFA chief confident fans will be back ‘sooner rather than later’