The sports world is quickly distancing itself from Russia, with Rob Harris of the Associated Press reporting UEFA will hold an emergency meeting Friday to discuss moving this year’s Champions League Final, which had been scheduled for May 28th at Krestovsky Stadium in Saint Petersburg.
After months of escalating conflict, Russian president Vladimir Putin announced plans for a full-scale invasion of Ukraine beginning with missile strikes launched early Thursday morning. Russia’s attack on Ukraine has been condemned by countless world leaders including United States President Joe Biden, United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson and French President Emmanuel Macron.
“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,” the Union of European Football Associations said in a press release issued Thursday. “We are dealing with this situation with the utmost seriousness and urgency. Decisions will be taken by the UEFA Executive Committee and announced tomorrow.”
In response to Russia’s act of war, German club FC Schalke 04 announced Gazprom’s logo will no longer appear on their uniforms. Headquartered in Saint Petersburg, Gazprom is Europe’s largest supplier of natural gas.
UEFA will have plenty of alternatives to choose from, though Allianz Arena in Munich, Emirates Stadium, Wembley Stadium and London Stadium, the latter three all based in England, are each viewed as potential hosting candidates. Last year’s Champions League Final between Premier League sides Chelsea and Manchester City was staged at Estádio do Dragão in Portugal.
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