Wembley in line to host 2013 Champions League final

Martyn Ziegler
Wednesday 15 June 2011 15:09 BST
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Messi celebrates his goal at this year's final at Wembley
Messi celebrates his goal at this year's final at Wembley (REUTERS)

Wembley Stadium is the frontrunner to be named by UEFA tomorrow as the venue of the 2013 Champions League final.

The success of this season's final between Barcelona and Manchester United, combined with the fact it is the year of the Football Association's 150th anniversary, have persuaded UEFA to consider returning to the venue in London.

A decision is set to be taken by the European governing body's executive committee meeting in Nyon, Switzerland, tomorrow and announced by UEFA president Michel Platini at a news conference.

A senior UEFA source told Press Association Sport: "There is a feeling that the 2013 final should go to England to mark the FA's 150th anniversary. Initially it was suggested that Manchester should be chosen but the success of Wembley last month means it is now very much the favourite."

Wembley was not just a resounding commercial success for UEFA, it was also very straightforward in terms of organisation.

Unlike most stadiums, there was no need for extra marquees to be erected at Wembley to cater for hospitality events or media, nor were there any issues around having to bring in extra technology.

If Wembley is chosen, then some tickets are likely to be cheaper than for this year's final.

In April, Platini apologised for the high cost of tickets at Wembley and said UEFA would consider introducing a cheaper category for families for future finals.

The cheapest tickets on general sale were priced at £150 plus a £26 administration fee, and the cheapest package for one adult and one child was only available in category two seats costing £338.

Platini said then: "It was a mistake, it was not good. But it is not easy to decide the price of the tickets in the Champions League final.

"Perhaps in the future we have to have another category for families that is less expensive. But if you put those on the black market how much will they cost?"

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