UEFA, European football’s governing body, announced on Tuesday that Milan will not host the 2027 men’s Champions League final as initially planned. This decision comes in response to uncertainties surrounding the future of the iconic San Siro stadium.

In an official statement, UEFA explained that the Municipality of Milano could not provide assurances that the San Siro stadium and its surrounding areas would remain unaffected by potential refurbishment works during the period of the 2027 UEFA Champions League final. This lack of guarantee led to the withdrawal of Milan’s hosting rights for the prestigious event.

“As the Municipality of Milano could not guarantee that the San Siro stadium and its surroundings would not be affected by refurbishment works in the period of the 2027 UEFA Champions League final, it was decided not to assign the final to Milan,” UEFA said in a statement.

UEFA added it was reopening “the bidding process to appoint a suitable venue, with a decision expected in May/June 2025.”

The San Siro, also known as Stadio Giuseppe Meazza, has been a cornerstone of Italian football for decades. AC Milan and Inter Milan have questioned the long-term future of the San Siro stadium.

Both clubs are actively exploring options for a new, modern venue. They seek alternatives that could better meet their future needs and ambitions.

This exploration has cast doubt on the San Siro’s role in the coming years. The two Milan giants are considering how a state-of-the-art stadium might enhance their competitiveness and financial prospects.

Following this development, UEFA has taken swift action. They reopened the bidding process to find a suitable alternative venue for the 2027 final. The organization expects to decide on the new host city and stadium in May or June 2025. This allows ample time for preparation.

It’s worth noting that the 2026 Champions League final will take place in Budapest, Hungary. Interestingly, Budapest and Milan were the only two candidates vying for the honour of hosting the finals in both 2026 and 2027.

This situation highlights the importance of UEFA in having certainty and stability when selecting venues for its flagship club competition. Indeed, the Champions League final is a global spectacle that demands a stadium and host city capable of meeting stringent criteria for capacity, facilities, and infrastructure.

Richard Ofori, the 30-year-old Ghanaian goalkeeper, has touched down in South Africa to finalize his move to AmaZulu. Ofori, who became a free agent after his contract with Orlando Pirates expired in June 2024, spent the summer maintaining his fitness through individual training sessions.

Since 2018, Ofori has established himself as a prominent figure in South African football. He began his journey with Maritzburg United. There, he quickly gained recognition as one of the league’s premier goalkeepers. His exceptional performances between the posts at Maritzburg caught the eye of Orlando Pirates, one of South Africa’s most prestigious clubs.

During his tenure with the Buccaneers, Ofori played a pivotal role in the team’s successes. His contribution was particularly noteworthy in the Pirates’ MTN 8 Cup triumph. Ofori started in goal for the final match, helping his team secure a 2-1 victory over Bloemfontein Celtic and end a six-year trophy drought.

Throughout his career in South Africa, Ofori has amassed over 100 appearances for both Maritzburg United and Orlando Pirates combined. This wealth of experience now accompanies him to AmaZulu, a club with ambitions to improve upon their 11th-place finish from last season. AmaZulu aims to secure a spot in the top eight. This would qualify them for the MTN 8 competition.

Richard Ofori brings international experience to AmaZulu as well, having earned 33 caps for the Ghanaian national team. His most recent appearance for the Black Stars came during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in a match against Mozambique. The goalkeeper hopes to leverage this high-level experience to elevate AmaZulu’s performance.

The club aspires to replicate the success of their 2021/22 season. During that time, they finished as MTN 8 runners-up and competed in the group stages of the CAF Champions League. Ofori’s arrival signals AmaZulu’s intent to strengthen their squad and push for higher achievements in the upcoming season.

Anthony Martial, the 28-year-old forward, embarks on a new chapter in his career as he joins AEK Athens. The Greek club officially announced the signing on Thursday. They welcomed Martial as a free agent after his nine-year tenure at Manchester United concluded in June.

The talented striker commits his future to AEK Athens with a contract extending until 2027. Further, he chose to don the number 26 jersey for his new team. This move marks a significant addition to the roster of the 13-time Greek champions.

While AEK Athens kept the financial aspects of the deal confidential, British media outlets have shed some light on the terms. Reports say that Anthony Martial will command an annual salary of 2.5 million pounds (equivalent to $3.32 million). Indeed, this will position him among the top earners at the club.

🟡✈️ 𝐎𝐅𝐅𝐈𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋 | Anthony Martial arrives in Greece to sign for AEK Athens! ✅

Many fans waiting for him at airport. 🧨🇬🇷 pic.twitter.com/z1OauTAasW

— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) September 18, 2024

This substantial investment underscores AEK’s ambition and their faith in Martial’s abilities to make a significant impact on the pitch. The French international brings a wealth of experience to Athens. They have notched an impressive 90 goals across 317 appearances for Manchester United in all competitions.

His contributions played a crucial role in United’s success, helping the English giants secure the Europa League title, an FA Cup victory, and two League Cup triumphs. However, persistent injury problems marred Martial’s final years at Old Trafford, with his last appearance for the Red Devils coming in December.

AEK Athens continues to demonstrate their intent to compete at the highest level, with Martial’s signing following the acquisition of former Tottenham Hotspur and Sevilla midfielder Erik Lamela earlier in the transfer window.

The Greek club currently sits atop the Super League Greece standings, having accumulated 10 points from their opening four matches. They aim to maintain their strong start to the season as they prepare to face Kallithea in an upcoming away fixture on Sunday.

With these strategic reinforcements, AEK Athens looks poised to challenge for domestic honours and make their mark in European competitions. Indeed, they’re leveraging the experience and skill of their new star signings.