Russia Makes Emotional Statement in Response to UEFA’s Decision to Strip Country of Champions League Final

• Russia has expressed its regret after UEFA stripped the country of the right to host the 2022 UEFA Champions League final
• The Gazprom Arena in St Petersburg will no longer host the 2022 UCL final on May 28 following the country’s invasion of Ukraine
• The UEFA executive committee in an emergency meeting held on Friday, February 25 resolved the match will now be played at the Stade de France in Paris

Russia has described UEFA’s decision to strip the country of the hosting of the 2022 UEFA Champions League final as pitiable.

The Champions League final was initially scheduled to take place at the Gazprom Arena in St Petersburg on May 28 but has now been moved to the Stade de France in Paris.

This is following the invasion of Ukraine by the Russian military after President Vladimir Putin had declared war on the Eastern European country.

The European football governing body’s executive committee made the decision in an emergency meeting held on Friday, February 25.

UEFA to move Champions League final from Russia after military action in Ukraine

Football

According to a report via Mirror, Press secretary of the President of the Russian Federation Dmitry Peskov expressed regret at the decision of stripping Russia of the hosting rights of the UCL final.

It's a pity, of course, that such a decision was made. But [the decision] has been made, so it is accepted."

UEFA orders Russia and Ukraine to play matches at neutral venues

Meanwhile, Europe’s football governing body has ordered Russian and Ukrainian clubs still in its competitions to play their home fixtures in a neutral venue Daily Mail reports.

The ruling also affects both country’s national teams as Russia are preparing to host Poland in a play-off semi-final in April.

Russia will be denied home advantage in the match and, if they win, in the final against either Sweden or the Czech Republic.

UEFA Confirm New Venue for Final

Earlier, Sports Brief reported the 2022 Champions League final has been moved to France as Russia was stripped of the prestigious match following their invasion of Ukraine.

World Cup: Tension as Poland, Sweden and Czech Republic refuse to go to Russia for playoffs

Football

Europe’s most prestigious club competition was supposed to have it’s 2022 final in St Petersburg on 28 May.

However, following a meeting on Friday, February 25, UEFA confirmed the match had been moved to Stade de France in Paris.