Wembley Stadium has been selected to host the 2011 UEFA Champions League final.
The decision was taken by the UEFA executive committee at its meeting in Nyon, Switzerland this week, and sees the highlight of European football's club calendar return to Wembley for a record sixth time, the first at the new stadium.
The frinal returns to the UK for the first time since 2003 when AC Milan defeated Juventus at Old Trafford, and to Wembley Stadium for the first time since 1992, when Barcelona beat Sampdoria in the European Cup Final during the season before the competition became the Champions League.
The FA’s Chairman Lord Triesman said: “We are delighted that UEFA have chosen Wembley Stadium to stage the Champions League Final in 2011. This is fantastic news for London and the UK and is acknowledgment of Wembley’s ranking alongside the very best football stadiums in the world. Wembley is a stadium for the big games and has a unique history that is sure to inspire Europe’s finest players."
Mayor of London Boris Johnson said of the announcement: "It is splendid news that London is to host the UEFA Champions League Final in 2011. There is a huge sense of excitement and passion in London for sports and indeed for the 'beautiful game' of football. London is delighted to have been successful in the bid to host the 2011 Final and Wembley is a suitably dramatic and superb backdrop for the event."
Roger Maslin, acting managing director of Wembley Stadium, said: “It is an honour that Wembley Stadium has been chosen to host the 2011 Champions League Final. The old stadium staged some of the most important games in football history, including five European Cup finals. Wembley is a world class stadium and will be the perfect stage for the Champions League Final. We look forward to working with UEFA to deliver a superb Final at Wembley Stadium in 2011.”
For more information visit http://www.uefa.com/competitions/ucl/news/kind=1/newsid=795986.html
