Fans of Chelsea and Manchester City should not travel to Turkey for the Champions League final, the transport secretary has said.

Speaking as it was announced that Turkey has been added to England’s COVID-19 red list, Grant Shapps said the Football Association was in talks with UEFA over the match.

The final is currently scheduled to be played in Istanbul on Saturday, 29 May.

Mr Shapps said the UK is open to hosting the game, but stressed it was a decision for European football’s governing body.

“I’m afraid we are having to put Turkey on the red list,” Mr Shapps told a Downing Street news conference.

“This will have a number of ramifications. First of all, it does mean with the regards to the Champions League, fans should not travel to Turkey.

“The FA are in discussions with UEFA on this. We are very open to hosting the final but it is ultimately a decision for UEFA.

“Of course the UK has already got a successful track record of football matches with spectators, so we are well placed to do it.

“We are very open to it but it is in the end a decision for UEFA to make, but given there are two English clubs in that final, we look forward to what they have to say.”

UEFA insisted earlier this week that it had no plans to move the match.

“The UEFA Champions League final will take place in Istanbul on May 29 with a limited number of spectators and we are assured the temporary lockdown which is in force until May 17 should not have any impact on the match,” it said in a statement.

“UEFA continues to work closely with the Turkish Football Federation and the local and national authorities to stage the match safely.”

Chelsea and Manchester City have yet to comment.

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