Could Brexit keep Messi and Neymar out of the Champions League final?
"If 'Brexit' happens, everything changes. But football was played before, and it will be played in the future"
UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin claims that Brexit could keep Lionel Messi and Neymar from playing in the Champions League final and makes it less likely that Britain could host one in the future.
Ceferin told the New York Times: "If 'Brexit' happens, everything changes. But football was played before, and it will be played in the future. Now, with free movement in the European Union, it is much better.
"I was very disappointed when Aurier, from PSG, was not allowed to enter England.
"That will worsen when Brexit happens, especially if the reasons were as formal. We could have a serious problem.
"If we see that players cannot enter because they have any sort of procedure ongoing, then we will simply think if we should play our European matches there.
"Neymar and Lionel Messi both have [tax evasion] procedures going on. This year, the Champions League final is in Cardiff. Imagine if they did not let them in.
"That is a big thing for us, if players from England can travel anywhere but players from other teams cannot travel to England. With free movement in Europe, it is much better.
"Even in 2020, if Brexit has happened, then it can be a big problem for fans. That stays firm, and we will speak to the British government, and I am sure the English Football Association will help us."
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