Middlesbrough could welcome supporters back to the Riverside Stadium 'very soon', says UEFA chief

Middlesbrough’s fixtures have been suspended since March 13 and, while the Championship season is expected to be concluded, games are likely to take place behind closed doors for the foreseeable future.

The Bundesliga made a successful return to action behind closed doors at the weekend and many other leagues are preparing to resume in front of empty stands, with Ceferin confident the situation will soon improve.

Indeed, he feels that fans could be welcomed back into stadiums ‘very soon’ – despite clubs in England preparing for games in front of empty stadiums until the new calendar year.

Speaking to the Guardian, Ceferin said: "I don't think that this virus will last forever. I think it will (change) sooner than many think.

"It's a serious situation but it is going down now and we are being more cautious.

"We know more about the virus and in general I'm an optimistic person.

"I don't like this apocalyptic view that we have to wait for the second and third waves or even a fifth wave. People you know are likely to die one day, but do we have to be worried today? I don't think so.

"We are ready and we will follow the recommendations of the authorities but I'm absolutely sure, personally, that good old football with fans will come back very soon."