Brentford in talks to hold Shakhtar’s Champions League matchesImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Brentford have played their home matches at the Gtech Community Stadium since 2020ByJonty Colman and Nizaar KinsellaBBC Sport journalistsPublished30 minutes agoBrentford are in talks with Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk over hosting their Champions League fixtures at the Gtech Community Stadium for the forthcoming season.Shakhtar will directly enter the league phase of the 2026-27 competition.Initially, they had qualified for the third qualifying round but were moved into the league phase due to Champions League winners Paris St-Germain already qualifying through winning Ligue 1.Due to Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, Shakhtar have been playing their European matches outside of their home stadium. Last year, their home matches were played across Ljubljana, Slovenia and Krakow, Poland.BBC Sport understands that discussions are ongoing between Shakhtar and Brentford over potentially holding their Champions League matches in west London.A Shakhtar official mentioned, “Shakhtar is currently negotiating with several venues in the United Kingdom and Germany in order to secure a host stadium for its Uefa Champions League matches next season. We will not comment on the process until a decision is unveiled in the near future.”Brentford’s home stadium complies with Uefa’s regulations on stadia hosting Champions League matches and it is understood Uefa would have no issue with this taking place, providing local authorities permit it.Brentford have been known to rent out their stadium for non-England international friendly matches, the World Sevens Football (a female seven-a-side tournament) and generally consider this option an important additional revenue stream.Are Bournemouth able to host European games at Vitality Stadium?
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Published27 May
