UEFA move Champions League final from St. Petersburg to Paris

It's in response to Russia's invasion of neighbouring Ukraine

Author: Rory GannonPublished 25th Feb 2022

UEFA has chosen to move the final of the Champions League in May from St. Petersburg to Paris.

The decision by UEFA's Executive Committee was taken following Russia's invasion of Ukraine on Thursday (February 24th).

As a result, the final of the Champions League will be relocated to the Stade de France in the Saint-Denis neighbourhood in Paris.

In a statement, UEFA expressed their thanks to France for agreeing to host the fixture at such short notice.

"UEFA wishes to express its thanks and appreciation to French Republic President Emmanuel Macron for his personal support and commitment to have European club football’s most prestigious game moved to France at a time of unparalleled crisis," they said.

"Together with the French government, UEFA will fully support multi-stakeholder efforts to ensure the provision of rescue for football players and their families in Ukraine who face dire human suffering, destruction and displacement."

As well as this, it was announced any future home matches to be played between Russian and Ukrainian teams should be held in neutral venues.

International organisations have been under fire to expel Russia following its military intervention in neighbouring Ukraine.

Russian military forces entered the country on Thursday morning with sporadic shelling and bombing across Ukraine's major cities - including the capital, Kyiv.

In a recorded statement, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the UK would 'not look away' from the war and offer support however they could.

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