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Dynamo Kiev Pull Out of Inaugural Match at Spartak Moscow's New Stadium

Ukrainian football club Dynamo Kiev have refused an invitation from Spartak Moscow to play a friendly in July to officially open their new stadium, the Otkritiye Arena.

"We have decided to go back on our agreement with Spartak because of the current political situation between Ukraine and Russia," the club said in a statement.

"We do not think it is the right thing to do to travel to Moscow."

Russia completed the annexation of Ukraine's Crimea region last month, sparking criticism in the West.

Spartak Moscow and Dynamo Kiev were the most successful clubs and also bitter rivals before the break-up of the Soviet Union and they were set to open the new 44,000-seat stadium.

The Otkritiye Arena is one of the host venues for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

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