Wayne Lumbasi
UEFA are expected to confirm that Saint Petersburg will no longer host the 2022 Champions League final at an extraordinary meeting to be held on Friday following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The biggest game of the European club calendar was scheduled to take place at the Krestovsky Stadium, known commercially as the Gazprom Arena, on 28 May. Alternative venues will now be explored, with Wembley Stadium understood to be one option.
“UEFA shares the international community’s significant concern for the security situation developing in Europe and strongly condemns the ongoing Russian military invasion in Ukraine,” UEFA said in a statement.
“We remain resolute in our solidarity with the football community in Ukraine and stand ready to extend our hand to the Ukrainian people.”
We are dealing with this situation with the utmost seriousness and urgency. Decisions will be taken by the UEFA Executive Committee and announced tomorrow.”
European football’s governing body had come under considerable pressure to move the final away from Saint Petersburg after Russian forces launched a military assault on Ukraine, crossing its borders and bombing military targets near big cities. European lawmakers on Thursday asked UEFA to move the final and to stop considering Russian cities for international football events.
The Ukrainian Premier League, which was scheduled to begin again after its winter break, had been due to recommence on Friday but will now be put on hold for at least 30 days in light of the government’s declaration of a state of emergency in the country.
Major sporting figures, including legendary Ukrainian striker Andriy Shevchenko and Manchester City full-back Oleksandr Zinchenko, have spoken out publicly against Russia.
There have been calls for further sporting sanctions to be imposed, including banning Russian clubs from competing in European competition. However, it is expected that stripping the country of the Champions League final will be the only major step taken initially.
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