UEFA set to strip St Petersburg of Champions League final after Russia invasion of Ukraine
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ByEurosport
Updated 24/02/2022 at 14:34 GMT
Russia's decision to invade Ukraine has put sporting bodies in focus. UEFA will discuss options available to it at a meeting of its executive committee on Friday morning, with multiple reports suggesting St Petersburg will be stripped of the right to host this season's Champions League final. FIFA is also under pressure to act with Russia due to face Poland in a World Cup play-off next month.
Aleksander Ceferin
Image credit: Eurosport
UEFA has called an extraordinary meeting of its executive committee to discuss the ongoing issues in Ukraine, with multiple sources suggesting they will strip the Russian city of St Petersburg of the right to host this season’s Champions League final.
In light of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin is under pressure to act and the governing body will discuss options on Friday.
A statement from UEFA read: “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.
“Further communication will be made after the meeting of the UEFA executive committee.”
UEFA has said that the Europa League tie between Real Betis and Zenit St Petersburg in Seville on Thursday will go ahead as planned.
With UEFA confirming a meeting of its executive committee, eyes will shift to FIFA which is under pressure to remove Russia from the World Cup qualification play-offs.
Russia are scheduled to face Poland in Moscow on March 24.
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