Istanbul hopes to host 'historic' Champions League final despite uncertainty

UEFA suspended Champions League matches until further notice in March as Europe's football competitions were hit hard by the virus.

The date and the venue of the final are now a source of uncertainty and alternative cities to Istanbul are being mentioned in media reports.

However, the Turkish Football Federation (TFF) and local fans still hope the final will be played in Istanbul in August as planned.

"It would of course be a source of pride to host a new final in Istanbul," said Atakan Bodan, a member of the ultrAslan, Istanbul giants Galatasaray's main fan group.

"(Istanbul) is a city of football, we are passionate," said the football fan, who feels the suspension of the top football leagues has "robbed him of joy in his life".