Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, European football governing body, UEFA is set to move this year’s Champions League final to England and preferably, the Wembley Stadium, according to reports.
Vladimir Putin’s troops invaded separatist regions of eastern Ukraine, leaving them with little choice but to declare a nationwide state of emergency.
The Champions League final is scheduled to take place at the 68,000-capacity St. Petersburg stadium on May 28, but Uefa is now considering staging it at Wembley.
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Uefa is reportedly considering waiting until the final four stage to consider the geography of the remaining clubs, to make a fair decision.
Uefa believes the venue for the final can be put on in a few weeks’ notice, after seeing Porto step in for Istanbul last season – following a rising number of Covid cases in Turkey.
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson would be happy for London to host the final of the Champions League match.
“A Russia that has pariah status, there is no chance of holding football tournaments in a Russia that invades sovereign countries.”
Also, UK foreign secretary Liz Truss urged English clubs to boycott the Champions League, if the final is to be played in Russia.
“My view on the final in St Petersburg is it shouldn’t go ahead. If I was on an English team I would boycott it.
“Russia has denied the existence of another sovereign state, it is preparing for a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
“It’s been roundly condemned by the international community. It would be completely wrong for a football tournament to take place there.
“If I was a player I certainly wouldn’t want to be part of that.”