Russia has expressed its disappointment with UEFA's decision to deny it the privilege to host the Champions League final this season.
The premier event of European club football was scheduled to take place on May 28 at the Gazprom Arena in St Petersburg.
However, in the light of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, UEFA has decided to shift the final to the Stade de France in Paris.
The final was scheduled to take place at the Gazprom Arena in St Petersburg. (Photo credit: PA)
"Of course, it's unfortunate that such a decision was made. But [the decision] has been made, so it is accepted," Dmitry Peskov, a Kremlin spokesman, said.
"No, I didn't say that," Peskov said when asked if he thought the decision was politically motivated. "All I did was express regret."
The UEFA final was under intense pressure to be moved, with Prime Minister Boris Johnson among those advocating for Russia to be barred from hosting the tournament.
On Friday, UEFA announced that the final would be shifted to Paris and that Russian and Ukrainian club and national teams would be compelled to compete in European competition at neutral venues this season.
"The UEFA Executive Committee decided to relocate the final of the 2021/22 UEFA Men's Champions League from Saint Petersburg to the Stade de France in Saint-Denis," according to a UEFA statement.
"The game will take place on Saturday, May 28th at 21:00 CET, 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.
"UEFA will completely support multi-stakeholder initiatives to secure the provision of rescue for football players and their families in Ukraine who are facing extreme human suffering, destruction, and displacement, in collaboration with the French government."
"At today's meeting, the UEFA Executive Committee also decided that Russian and Ukrainian clubs and national teams competing in UEFA competitions will be required to play their home matches at neutral venues until further notice.
"The UEFA Executive Committee further determined to remain on standby to convene further extraordinary meetings, on a regular ongoing basis where required, to reassess the legal and factual situation as it evolves and adopt further decisions as necessary."
The Stade de France in Paris will now host this season's final (Image: PA)
UEFA’s announcement came on the same day that Formula One cancelled this season’s Russian Grand Prix.
The race was due to be held in Sochi on September 25 but has now been removed from the 2022 calendar following protests from Max Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel.
"The FIA Formula 1 World Championship visits places all over the world with a positive mission to connect people and bring nations together," said a Formula One statement.
"We are saddened and shocked by the developments in Ukraine and wish for a fast and peaceful settlement to the current crisis."
"On Thursday evening, Formula 1, the FIA, and the teams discussed the state of our sport, and we have come to the conclusion that, in the existing conditions, it is impossible to hold the Russian Grand Prix." et"
Russia has expressed its disappointment with UEFA's decision to deny it the privilege to host the Champions League final this season.
The premier event of European club football was scheduled to take place on May 28 at the Gazprom Arena in St Petersburg.
However, in the light of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, UEFA has decided to shift the final to the Stade de France in Paris.
The final was scheduled to take place at the Gazprom Arena in St Petersburg. (Photo credit: PA)
"Of course, it's unfortunate that such a decision was made. But [the decision] has been made, so it is accepted," Dmitry Peskov, a Kremlin spokesman, said.
"No, I didn't say that," Peskov said when asked if he thought the decision was politically motivated. "All I did was express regret."
The UEFA final was under intense pressure to be moved, with Prime Minister Boris Johnson among those advocating for Russia to be barred from hosting the tournament.
On Friday, UEFA announced that the final would be shifted to Paris and that Russian and Ukrainian club and national teams would be compelled to compete in European competition at neutral venues this season.
"The UEFA Executive Committee decided to relocate the final of the 2021/22 UEFA Men's Champions League from Saint Petersburg to the Stade de France in Saint-Denis," according to a UEFA statement.
"The game will take place on Saturday, May 28th at 21:00 CET, 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.
"UEFA will completely support multi-stakeholder initiatives to secure the provision of rescue for football players and their families in Ukraine who are facing extreme human suffering, destruction, and displacement, in collaboration with the French government."
"At today's meeting, the UEFA Executive Committee also decided that Russian and Ukrainian clubs and national teams competing in UEFA competitions will be required to play their home matches at neutral venues until further notice.
"The UEFA Executive Committee further determined to remain on standby to convene further extraordinary meetings, on a regular ongoing basis where required, to reassess the legal and factual situation as it evolves and adopt further decisions as necessary."
The Stade de France in Paris will now host this season's final (Image: PA)
UEFA’s announcement came on the same day that Formula One cancelled this season’s Russian Grand Prix.
The race was due to be held in Sochi on September 25 but has now been removed from the 2022 calendar following protests from Max Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel.
"The FIA Formula 1 World Championship visits places all over the world with a positive mission to connect people and bring nations together," said a Formula One statement.
"We are saddened and shocked by the developments in Ukraine and wish for a fast and peaceful settlement to the current crisis."
"On Thursday evening, Formula 1, the FIA, and the teams discussed the state of our sport, and we have come to the conclusion that, in the existing conditions, it is impossible to hold the Russian Grand Prix."
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