UEFA Moves Champions League Final to Paris Amid Russia-Ukraine Conflict

• UEFA has announced that the 2022 Champions League final has been moved from Saint Petersburg in Russia, amid the ongoing conflict with Ukraine

• The competition final which is slated for May, will now be hosted at the Stade de France in Paris

• Russian troops have continued to advance into Ukraine, causing widespread sanctions on the country and criticism of the government

UEFA has stripped Russia of hosting the Champions League final on Friday, following the country’s invasion of neighbours Ukraine. The curtain-raiser for Europe’s biggest club football competition will now be hosted by the Stade de France in Paris rather than St. Petersburg.

An announcement that was made by UEFA on May 28th, states that Men’s final will still be held on May 28 but at a different location. The European football body also decided that Russian and Ukrainian clubs and national teams which are in any UEFA competition will have to play at neutral venues until further notice.

The decision was made by UEFA’s executive committee after a meeting to discuss Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on Friday. A statement that was released by the football organization says:

“UEFA wishes to express its thanks and appreciation to the French Republic President Emmanuel Macros for his personal support and commitment to have European club football’s most prestigious game moved to France at a time of unparalleled crisis.”

The Champions League final was last hosted at the Stade de France in 2006 when Barcelona defeated Arsenal to win the trophy.

UEFA has also promised to do its best to support multi-stakeholder efforts to ensure the provision of rescue for football players and their families in Ukraine who face dire human suffering and displacement.

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