Chelsea fans being treated “like cattle” with Porto UCL final ‘bubble’ concept

Chelsea fans have condemned UEFA's decision to host the Champions League final in Porto later this month under the Portuguese government's proposed 'bubble' restrictions.

Portugal confirmed on Friday that it will reopen its borders to UK tourists from Monday but uncertainty remains over travel for the May 29th showpiece with  cabinet affairs minister, Mariana Vieira da Silva, saying on Thursday that fans "will come and return on the same day, with a test done, in a bubble situation, on charter flights."

She added: "There will be two fan zones and from there they will be moved to the stadium and from the stadium to the airport, being in Portugal less than 24 hours."

The UK sport secretary, Oliver Dowden, confirmed on Thursday that negotiations for London's Wembley Stadium to host the final fell down over UEFA's requirement of quarantine waivers for 2,000 guests – including sponsors, VIPS and media – which the UK government could not guarantee as part of its roadmap out of lockdown.

On the same day, European football's governing body announced that the all-English final between Manchester City and Chelsea, would be moved from Istanbul to Porto, with 6,000 fans from each team allowed into the 50,000-capacity Estadio do Dragao, prompting supporters from both teams to book travel and accommodation.

The move was required after the UK placed Turkey on its international travel 'red list' last week meaning it would have been against government advice for fans to make the journey to the final.

But Portugal is among the 12 territories on the country's 'green list', allowing people to return to the UK without quarantine, beginning on Monday.