UEFA are looking at stripping Russia of hosting this year’s Champions League final.
This is due to the threat of war between Russia and Ukraine.
UK health secretary Sajid Javid has claimed Vladimir Putin ordered an invasion of Ukraine after Russian tanks, armoured vehicles and trucks were seen rolling into eastern regions overnight.
After initially insisting there were ‘no plans’ to move this season’s Champions League final from St Petersburg, UEFA are now discussing alternatives, according to The Times.
The report claims that the football governing body are in talks over changing the venue for the showpiece with waiting to find out who the finalists are to find a location that suits both a possibility.
Putin ordered his troops to carry out ‘peacekeeping’ duties in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions after he recognised them as independent on Monday, another act that prompted tensions to escalate.
Western states, including the UK, USA and United Nations, are now lining up to slap sanctions on key Russian figures and businesses but there is no sign that Putin is willing to back down.
The Champions League final, European football’s showpiece match, is due to take place at the Krestovsky Stadium in the Russian city of St Petersburg on May 28.
