Champions Cup and Challenge Cup finals moved out of Marseille

A year’s delay for the French city to play host

(Getty Images for Harlequins)

This year’s Champions Cup and Challenge Cup finals will not be staged in Marseille due to the evolving public health situation in France, the tournament organisers’ board said on Wednesday.

European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) said the decision was taken after consultation with the relevant local authorities in France to reduce cross-border travel where possible and to minimise the risk of COVID-19 transmission.

It added that flexibility was required regarding the choice of venues for the finals on May 21 and 22.

“The 2022 finals will now be played in Marseille on May 27 and 28, 2022, with European club rugby’s blue riband weekend scheduled for London’s Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in 2023,” EPCR said in a statement.

“Tickets already purchased for the Marseille finals will be valid for 2022 and a process is in place for fans seeking refunds which will be communicated directly to ticket holders and on HeinekenChampionsCup.com.”

READ MORE:

• AFTV regular Claude Callegari dies, his family confirms
• England vs Poland predicted line-ups and team news ahead of World Cup qualifier tonight 
• Where will Sergio Aguero go and who could replace him at Man City?
• Rangers quintet given four-match bans but can take part in trophy celebrations

The Champions Cup and Challenge Cup will resume with the round of 16 matches in April after the final two rounds of pool matches in January were cancelled, the tournament organisers said last month.

EPCR added that the Champions Cup semi-final matches will be played at the venues of the home clubs this season.

Reuters