Cyprus Mail
Champions LeagueFootballSport

UEFA to move Champions League final from Russia

The Champions League trophy on display at Uefa headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland

UEFA will move this year’s Champions League final from St Petersburg in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, a source with knowledge of the situation told Reuters on Thursday.

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has called an extraordinary meeting of the Executive Committee on Friday morning and it is expected to agree on moving the final.

The Champions League final, the showcase match in European club football, was set to be held at Zenit St Petersburg’s stadium on May 28 – an event that would have normally drawn thousands of fans from across the continent.

The stadium is known as the Gazprom Stadium after a sponsorship deal with Russia’s state energy company, which also sponsors UEFA’s Champions League and UEFA’s Euro 2024 national team competition.

“Following the evolution of the situation between Russia and Ukraine in the last 24 hours, the UEFA President has decided to call an extraordinary meeting of the Executive Committee for Friday 25 February at 10:00 CET, in order to evaluate the situation and take all necessary decisions,” UEFA said in a statement.

Zenit St Petersburg are in action in the Europa League on Thursday, playing in Spain against Real Betis, and UEFA said that game will not be impacted.

“UEFA can confirm that all tonight’s games will be played as scheduled,” the organisation said.

A group of European lawmakers wrote to UEFA on Thursday, asking it to change the venue and to stop considering Russian cities for international football competitions. Read full story

The 2023 Champions League final is due to be held in Istanbul with Wembley in London hosting the following year and Munich’s Allianz Arena the venue for the final in 2025.

Follow the Cyprus Mail on Google News

Related Posts

Qualification complete for Uefa U-17 championship in Cyprus

Tom Cleaver

F1 stars used IAME power on their way to the top

Press Release

Liverpool, Man Utd launch programme to combat tragedy-related abuse

Reuters News Service

Prosecutor seeks jail term for Spain’s Rubiales over kiss

Reuters News Service

Kane to return to Spurs in pre-season friendly v Bayern

Reuters News Service

Players want place at the table as tennis ponders landscape shift

Reuters News Service