The UCL final for the 2021/22 season is set to be held at the Krestovsky Stadium in Russia on May 28 but as per ESPN, UEFA are now exploring ideas of moving the final out of Russia.
There have been growing tensions between Russia and Ukraine and on Monday, Vladimir Putin claimed that Russia has now recognised the independence of Ukrainian regions Donetsk and Luhansk.
And immediately after this, panic has spread across Europe and UEFA have been quick to come up with a response since the UCL final is going to take place in Saint Petersburg.
“With regard to the 2022 UEFA Champions League final in Saint Petersburg, we would like to inform you that UEFA is constantly and closely monitoring the situation and any decision would be made in due course if necessary,” a UEFA statement said later on Tuesday, as quoted.
UEFA are exploring plans to move this season's Champions League final in Russia, sources have told ESPN.
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Will the UCL final move out of Russia amidst growing tensions?
Saint Petersburg was scheduled to host the 2020/21 final but that had to be shifted to Lisbon due to the impact of the pandemic.
But now this fresh issue has caused another hindrance and if the matter does not die down soon then UEFA are not going to take any risk and will pull out the UCL final from Krestovsky Stadium.
As per some reports, the UK government wants UEFA to pull the Champions League final out of Russia as Prime Minister Boris Johnson highlighted his concerns about hosting such mega football tournaments in Russia.
“It’s absolutely vital in this critical moment that President Putin understands that what he is doing is going to be a disaster for Russia,” Johnson told the House of Commons, as quoted.
“He is going to end up with… a Russia that is more isolated, a Russia that has pariah status, no chance of holding football tournaments in a Russia that invades sovereign countries.”
London’s Wembley stadium had come up as an alternative to holding the UCL final but fresh reports have suggested that the English stadium is unlikely to hold the May 28 event.
