The Champions League Final is to be stripped from St Petersburg, Russia, in tomorrow’s UEFA Emergency meeting, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
It comes as calls have been made to strip Russia of hosting any major sporting events as a part of sanctions placed on the nation by the West.
Russia were set to host the Champions League final on May 28 at the Gazprom Arena.
However, multiple reports are now saying UEFA will announce the final will no longer take place in Russia after President Putin’s decision to invade Ukraine in the early hours of Thursday morning.
English sides Liverpool, Man City, Chelsea and Manchester United are all still in the competition.
Other major events including the Russian Grand Prix, is due to be run later in the year in September at the Sochi Autodrom.
However, after the developments in Ukraine, and after the Western powers have announced ever-increasing sanctions on Russia, questions have been raised over whether these events should be hosted in the nation.
UEFA have announced that they will be holding an “extraordinary meeting of the Executive Committee” tomorrow, to discuss the final. It is expected they will confirm that the final will be moved from Moscow.
Following the evolution of the situation between Russia and Ukraine, the UEFA president has called an extraordinary meeting of the Executive Committee for 10:00 CET on Friday 25 February, in order to evaluate the situation and take all necessary decisions.
— UEFA (@UEFA) February 24, 2022
Rumours of replacement venues include Wembley Stadium and Istanbul, the latter was supposed to host the 2021 final until it was moved due to COVID.
Earlier today, British Foreign Minister Liz Truss called for British teams and players to boycott the final, should they reach it.
Two Russian teams remain active in the Europa League, Zenit St. Petersburg and Spartak Moscow.
There are also a number of international football fixtures set to be played in Russia, including World Cup Qualifiers.
The Swedish FA, who could face Russia away in the next round, said that playing a game there now would be “almost unthinkable”.
F1 have yet to take any action regarding the Sochi Grand Prix.
In a statement, they have said they are “closely watching the very fluid developments”.
F1 have faced regular criticism for their hosting of races in nations with poor human rights records.
However, this is the clearest case where action may be required.
Alongside this, Haas F1 team are majority funded by Russian company Uralkali, alongside Russian driver Nikita Mazepin.
They could face losing this funding. Team boss Günther Steiner was today pulled from the F1 press conference.
Sebastian Vettel has come out this afternoon in support of Ukraine and with a strong stand against the Russian Grand Prix taking place.
Vettel said: “I should not go, I will not go. We should not race in the country.
“I am sorry for the innocent people who are being killed for stupid reasons.”
(Featured Image Credit to Vyacheslav Yevdokimov under Creative Commons)
