The UEFA Men's Champions League final has been relocated from Saint Petersburg to Stade de France in Saint-Denis, Paris, in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
"Following the grave escalation of the security situation in Europe," the UEFA Executive Committee convened an exceptional meeting on Friday, according to a statement from the UEFA. The tournament final has been removed from Russia, but the game will still be played on May 28 as planned.
"UEFA wishes to express its gratitude to French Republic President Emmanuel Macron for his personal support and dedication in ensuring that European club football's most prestigious game is relocated to France at a moment of unprecedented turmoil. Together with the French government, UEFA will fully support multi-stakeholder efforts to ensure the provision of rescue for football [soccer] players and their families in Ukraine who face dire human suffering, destruction and displacement,” the UEFA said.
The UEFA Executive Committee has determined that for further notice, Russian and Ukrainian clubs and national teams competing in UEFA competitions must play their home matches at neutral locations.
"The UEFA Executive Committee also resolved to remain on standby to hold further extraordinary meetings, on a regular ongoing basis if necessary, to reassess the legal and factual situation as it unfolds and adopt further decisions as appropriate," the statement continued.
Since Russia invaded Ukraine on Thursday, the UEFA has been under intense pressure to change the location. A number of European lawmakers had asked FIFA to modify the finals venue as well as terminate the Russian company's contract. As a sponsor, Gazprom.
