Dundalk's Champions League qualifier with NK Celje moved to neutral venue in Hungary

Dundalk’s Champions League first qualifying round tie away to NK Celja has been moved to a neutral venue in Budapest in order to comply with Covid-19 travel restrictions.

The Slovenian champions had hoped to stage their first-ever Champions League game in their home stadium but the Balkan nation is not on the green list of countries that are safe to travel to and from.

Vinny Perth’s side drew the short straw with an away trip to arguably the strongest unseeded side in their pool, who won the Slovenian league for the first time this year.

Due to the late start and widespread travel restrictions, UEFA decided that the qualifying rounds will be played as one-off fixtures rather than over two legs.

The federation also mandated that all games must take place behind closed doors to minimise travel risk for supporters and clubs alike.

Where those travel restrictions made it impossible or inconvenient for the away team to travel, a neutral venue must be nominated by the home team.

The Slovenians have opted for the Szusza Ferenc Stadium in Újpest, a suburb of the Hungarian capital city and approximately 380km from Celje.

“There was a change of location of clearing 1st round of qualifications for the Champions League between Celje and Dundalk,” read a club statement.

“Our opponents would have problems returning from Celje to Ireland in the corona period, as Slovenia is not on the green list of this island country.

“The two clubs therefore had to agree on a neutral venue in accordance with UEFA's instructions .

“The duel between the Slovenian and Irish national champions will take place on Wednesday, 19 August 2020 at 19:00 at the Szusza Ferenc Stadium in Újpest, 10 km north of Budapest.”