UEFA chief delivers major update on Rangers Europa League clash v Leverkusen
It will be “extremely complicated” for Rangers to play their outstanding Europa League fixture against Bayer Leverkusen this season, according to UEFA’s own medical committee chief.
The Gers are currently halfway through a round of 16 clash against Bayer Leverkusen, having played the first leg at Ibrox prior to the continent-wide shutdown of all footballing activity because of the Coronavirus pandemic.
Steven Gerrard’s men 3-1 behind after that match, but may never get an opportunity to overturn the deficit against their Bundesliga opponents.
As quoted by the Scottish Sun, UEFA expert Professor Tim Meyer said: “It would be extremely complicated to play European games before of travel restrictions mostly
“All teams would need special permits. In addition, I would assume different countries have their own epidemiological arrangements and perhaps also different legal guidance.
“It would be more difficult to play in certain countries than in others. It would prove to be a significant challenge.
“The only positive is, in terms of playing the games, is that we have more time to seek a solution in planning them than we do for league matches.
“We will have to wait and see how this develops.”
How much of a blow would this be for the Gers?
This would be a major disappointment, make no mistake.
Of course, we were left with a mountain to climb in the return leg after that 3-1 defeat against Leverkusen at Ibrox, and the reality is that we probably wouldn’t be able to overturn the deficit in Germany.
But to not even get the chance to try is a real blow. After all, anything can happen in football.
Results aside, our beautiful game isn’t just about winning or losing, it’s about experiences too.
To have travelled to Germany and competed in such a late stage of such a prestigious competition would have created a whole host of memories for a lot of people, and it’s a real shame that it looks increasingly unlikely to happen.
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