Support The Moscow Times!

UEFA Strips St. Petersburg of Champions League Final

UEFA Europa League play-offs between Zenit St Petersburg and Real Betis Seville at Gazprom Arena. Alexander Demianchuk / TASS

St. Petersburg has been stripped of the Champions League Final following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, UEFA said Friday. 

The final, set for May 2022, will instead be staged at the Stade de France in Paris, UEFA’s Executive Committee said in a statement issued after an extraordinary meeting held “following the grave escalation of the security situation in Europe.”

Russian and Ukrainian teams competing in European competitions will also be required to play their home matches at neutral venues, the football government body said.

Russia’s Gazprom is a major backer of UEFA through headline sponsorship packages for its flagship club and international competitions. 

UEFA has come under pressure for its connections to the Russian gas giant and been criticized by European politicians for its reliance on Russian sponsorship following President Vladimir Putin’s decision to invade neighboring Ukraine.

UEFA also said it was working to help ensure the “rescue for football players and their families in Ukraine who face dire human suffering, destruction and displacement.”

… we have a small favor to ask.

As you may have heard, The Moscow Times, an independent news source for over 30 years, has been unjustly branded as a "foreign agent" by the Russian government. This blatant attempt to silence our voice is a direct assault on the integrity of journalism and the values we hold dear.

We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. Our commitment to providing accurate and unbiased reporting on Russia remains unshaken. But we need your help to continue our critical mission.

Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just 2. It's quick to set up, and you can be confident that you're making a significant impact every month by supporting open, independent journalism. Thank you.

Continue

Read more