UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has said Russia should not be allowed to host this season’s Champions League final in Saint Petersburg, after Russia ordered troops into eastern Ukraine.
Four English sides — Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United — are involved in the ongoing round of 16. The final of the tournament is scheduled to take place on May 28 at the Gazprom Arena.
UEFA currently has “no plans” to move the showpiece event although The Athletic understands European football’s governing body is confident in its ability to move the final at short notice if absolutely necessary.
Johnson, however, has urged UEFA to move the final away from Russia, shortly after announcing sanctions against five Russian banks and three billionaires.
He told the House of Commons on Tuesday: “A Russia that is more isolated, a Russia that has pariah status — (there is) no chance of holding football tournaments in a Russia that invades sovereign countries.
“A Russia that is engaged in a bloody and debilitating conflict with a fellow Slav country. What an appalling result for President Putin.
“I hope that he steps back from the brink and does not conduct a full invasion.”
Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries also said Russia should not be allowed to stage major sporting events following Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decision to order troops into two rebel-held regions of Donetsk and Luhansk on Monday, after recognising them as independent.
Dorries tweeted: “I have serious concerns about the sporting events due to be held in Russia, such as the Champions League Final, and will discuss with the relevant governing bodies.
“We won’t allow President Putin to exploit events on the world stage to legitimise his illegal invasion of Ukraine.”
It is anticipated that the Foreign Office will soon change its advice on travel to Russia. Currently, the Foreign Office warns against all but essential travel to several different regions of the country.
UEFA has recent experience of changing the venue of the Champions League final at short notice. The last two editions of the final were moved to Portugal because of complications brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
A statement from European football’s governing body read: “UEFA is constantly and closely monitoring the situation. At present, there are no plans to change the venue.
“UEFA is in close contact with the national associations and clubs concerned. At present, all matches are planned to take place as scheduled.”
The situation in Ukraine worsened on Monday when Putin recognised two rebel-held regions in the east of the country, Donetsk and Luhansk, as independent states. Footage released overnight appeared to show Russian military vehicles heading towards the Ukrainian border.
Russia said these troops would be “peacekeeping” in the breakaway regions.
On Tuesday, Russia said its recognition of independence for the rebel-held areas extends to territory currently held by Ukrainian forces. Ukraine controls some, but not all, of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
The statement further raised the stakes amid Western fears Putin could follow up his statement with a full-fledged invasion of Ukraine.
(Photo: Getty Images)
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Is there a precedent for what could happen next?
Partially — although under very different circumstances.
Last season, the Champions League final between Chelsea and Manchester City was moved to Porto’s Estadio do Dragao from the Ataturk Stadium in Istanbul.
UEFA faced mounting pressure to change the venue after the UK government placed Turkey on its ‘red’ list of at-risk countries during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and urged fans not to travel for the fixture.
UEFA, therefore, has confidence in its ability to move the final at relatively short notice if the crisis in Ukraine worsens.
