UEFA orders club sides from Russia and Ukraine – plus both national teams – to play ALL their European and international fixtures at NEUTRAL venues due to escalating conflict

  • Russia and Ukraine will have to play European matches on neutral soil
  • The ruling affects the national teams and club teams in UEFA competitions
  • Russia were to host Poland in a World Cup play-off but the game will be moved
  • The Champions League final has been moved to Paris from St Petersburg











Russian and Ukrainian clubs and both national teams will have to play their upcoming fixtures in European competitions at neutral venues due to the war situation.

The announcement was made by UEFA in Friday’s executive committee meeting, where St Petersburg was stripped of hosting the Champions League final, which will now be played at the Stade de France in Paris. 

The ruling could affect Russia’s hopes of qualifying for the World Cup, as they were due to host Poland in a play-off semi-final next month but will now be denied home advantage in that match and, if they win, in the final against either Sweden or Czech Republic .

Ukraine will not be affected by the ruling as they visit Scotland in their play-off semi-final and were due to play the final away from home anyway if they get through.

No Russian or Ukrainian sides are left in the Champions League but Spartak Moscow are still in the Europa League and will be denied a home game in their last-16 match, with the draw set to take place later on Friday. 

Russian president Vladimir Putin ordered the full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Thursday with troops attacking the country from the north, east and south, inflicting enormous damage to military installations and civilian casualties. 

A statement from UEFA read: ‘The UEFA Executive Committee today held an extraordinary meeting following the grave escalation of the security situation in Europe. 

‘The UEFA Executive Committee decided to relocate the final of the 2021/22 UEFA Men’s Champions League from Saint Petersburg to Stade de France in Saint-Denis. The game will be played as initially scheduled on Saturday 28 May at 21:00 CET. 

Russia and Ukraine will have to play European matches on neutral soil following a ruling from UEFA's executive committee (pictured: UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin)

Russia and Ukraine will have to play European matches on neutral soil following a ruling from UEFA’s executive committee (pictured: UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin)

The decision could affect Russia's bid to qualify for the 2022 World Cup as they were to host Poland in their play-off semi-final but the game will now be held on neutral soil

The decision could affect Russia’s bid to qualify for the 2022 World Cup as they were to host Poland in their play-off semi-final but the game will now be held on neutral soil

Ukraine were not due to play their play-offs at home so will be largely unaffected by the decision for now

Ukraine were not due to play their play-offs at home so will be largely unaffected by the decision for now

Spartak Moscow are the only remaining Russian team in UEFA's club competitions and will have to play the home leg of their last-16 tie on neutral soil

Spartak Moscow are the only remaining Russian team in UEFA’s club competitions and will have to play the home leg of their last-16 tie on neutral soil

‘UEFA wishes to express its thanks and appreciation to French Republic President Emmanuel Macron for his personal support and commitment to have European club football’s most prestigious game moved to France at a time of unparalleled crisis.

‘Together with the French government, UEFA will fully support multi-stakeholder efforts to ensure the provision of rescue for football players and their families in Ukraine who face dire human suffering, destruction and displacement.

‘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.’

UKRAINE WAR: LATEST 

  • Ukraine says Russia has bombed 33 civilian sites in Kyiv in the last 24 hours  
  • Two children have been reported killed in Kyiv bombing overnight  
  • Russia is deploying paratroopers to Chernobyl after capturing it yesterday, Moscow said
  • Ukraine reported ‘anomalous’ radiation levels at the plant amid fears nuclear storage was breached in fighting, but Moscow said readings are normal
  • Russia claims to have destroyed 118 Ukrainian military sites in 30 hours of fighting 
  • PM Boris Johnson pledged more support is coming to Ukraine in the coming days
  • Johnson shared a phone call with Zelensky on Friday morning 

Advertisement

[ad_2]
Post source: Daily mail

You May Also Like

Leicester Fined for Profit and Sustainability Breaches Despite Relegation

Report “Leicester Fined for Profit and Sustainability Breaches Despite Relegation” Leicester City,…

Real Madrid’s Eduardo Camavinga’s injury not serious; staff expects quick recovery for Athletic match this weekend

Eduardo Camavinga, a key midfielder for Real Madrid, recently faced an injury…

Ratcliffe confident in Southgate for Man United emerges as the first choice for England boss

The speculation surrounding Gareth Southgate’s potential appointment as Manchester United’s next manager…

𝐁𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐆: Thibaut Courtois Has Ruptured His Internal Meniscus of The Right Knee

Thibaut Courtois Has Ruptured His Internal Meniscus of The Right Knee –…