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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Jack Flintham

UEFA to move Champions League final from Russia after Ukraine invasion

Russia is set to lose the right to host this season's Champions League Final, according to widespread reports.

Saint Petersburg's Gazprom Arena had been granted the honour of hosting the biggest game in European club football, but the continent's football governing body has reacted quickly to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Official confirmation is expected to come on Friday following an emergency meeting, where a new host will be discussed.

"Following the evolution of the situation between Russia and Ukraine in the last 24 hours, the UEFA President has decided to call an extraordinary meeting of the Executive Committee for Friday February, 25 at 10am CET, in order to evaluate the situation and take all necessary decisions," UEFA said in a statement.

A later statement added: "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.

"As the governing body of European football, UEFA is working tirelessly to develop and promote football according to common European values such as peace and respect for human rights, in the spirit of the Olympic Charter. We remain resolute in our solidarity with the football community in Ukraine and stand ready to extend our hand to the Ukrainian people.

"We are dealing with this situation with the utmost seriousness and urgency. Decisions will be taken by the UEFA Executive Committee and announced tomorrow."

UEFA added that tonight's Europa League and Europa Conference League ties will be "played as scheduled" with Zenit St Petersburg in Spain to face Real Betis.

The Russian club have a 3-2 first-leg deficit to overturn to reach the last-16 stage of the Europa League.

Both Manchester United and Manchester City remain in the Champions League at present. City hold a 5-0 lead over Sporting while United drew 1-1 with Atletico Madrid last night.

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