UEFA will decide on relocating the Champions League final following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The governing body of European football will hold an emergency meeting on Friday to determine the future of the May 28 final, originally scheduled at the Gazprom Arena in St Petersburg.
The invasion, launched by Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday, has prompted widespread concern across the football world. FIFA is also set to meet on Thursday to discuss upcoming World Cup play-offs, with Russia set to face Poland and Ukraine due to play Scotland on 24 March. Ukraine’s domestic league, which was due to resume this weekend, remains suspended as most of its players are based in the country.
Sweden, also involved in World Cup play-offs, warned that a match against Russia is “almost unthinkable” under current circumstances. Meanwhile, UEFA confirmed that Zenit St Petersburg’s Europa League match against Real Betis will go ahead as scheduled at 20:00 GMT on Thursday.
The International Olympic Committee condemned Russia for breaking the Olympic truce, emphasizing concern for the safety of the Olympic community in Ukraine and establishing a task force to coordinate humanitarian aid. The International Paralympic Committee is maintaining dialogue with both Ukrainian and Russian Paralympic Committees ahead of the Winter Paralympics in Beijing starting 4 March.
Other sporting bodies are closely monitoring the crisis: the International Ski Federation is assessing the impact on World Cup events in Russia, and Formula 1 is tracking developments with the Russian Grand Prix in Sochi scheduled for September.
UEFA’s emergency meeting will determine whether the Champions League final, one of Europe’s most prestigious football events, will be moved to a safer location amid the escalating conflict.
