Weekly Combine Newsletter: Russia set to lose Champions League final over Ukraine invasion

UEFA is poised to move the lucrative Champions League final away from the Russian city of St. Petersburg to sanction the Russian government for escalating military conflict in Ukraine.  

UEFA has called an extraordinary general meeting of the Executive Committee to be held Friday (10am Central European Time) where they are expected to formalise their decision to relocate the 28 May match from St. Petersburg, it has been widely reported.

UEFA has received political pressure to take the game away from Russia and sanction Russian officials and sponsors, even before yesterday's escalation, as an additional form of sanction designed to isolate the country economically.

"[There is] no chance of holding football tournaments in a Russia that invades sovereign countries," was one retort by UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson in a speech to the House of Commons earlier this week.

The UEFA Executive Committee has powers to adopt regulations and make decisions on all matters outside the legal or statutory jurisdiction of the UEFA Congress. However, if they proceed with the decision, the governing body will have to manage contractual and logistical fallout as a result of pulling the match from Russia three months before kick-off and other matches involving Russia.

This week the Polish Football Association also sought 'urgent clarity' from UEFA for their World Cup qualifying match against the nation scheduled in Moscow on 24 March.

Earlier on Thursday (CET) UEFA released a media statement condemning Russia and recognising the global focus on them to take action.

"UEFA shares the international community’s significant concern for the security situation developing in Europe and strongly condemns the ongoing Russian military invasion in Ukraine," the statement said.

Continuing that, they "are dealing with this situation with the utmost seriousness and urgency."

"Decisions will be announced tomorrow."

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