Football and Formula One came together as the sporting world took a stand against Russia.
F1 bosses announced they have axed the Russian Grand Prix from next year’s calendar following the invasion of Ukraine.
European governing body UEFA also confirmed they have stripped St Petersburg from hosting the Champions League final and are planning to dump Gazprom as sponsors.
UEFA are holding discussions with their lawyers over ending the £50m-plus deal with the Russian energy company. Manchester United also confirmed that they are ending their association with Russian airline Aeroflot.
It follows UEFA’s emergency ExCo meeting when they switched the European final to Paris on May 28 and also decided to try and cut ties with a key Russian sponsor.
A UEFA spokesman said: “There will be other meetings of the ExCo soon where additional matters will be addressed.”
Russia are due to play in next month’s World Cup play-offs but UEFA have said they and Ukraine will have to play at neutral venues until further notice.
Russia’s women’s team also face uncertainty ahead of this summer’s Euros which are being hosted in England as there are doubts over whether they will be allowed to take part.
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel said he supported the decision to move the Champions League final from St Petersburg to Paris.
Tuchel said: “It’s the worst reason to change a location. Absolutely the worst reason. There are things more important and the focus from us in global and sportively speaking is not at the final.”
Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston said: “I welcome the decision by UEFA to strip Russia of its right to host the Champions League final. The voice of sport matters.
“I appreciate that a lot of people are uncomfortable mixing sport and 'politics' but the situation in Ukraine is way beyond ‘politics'. I urge other governing bodies due to host international sporting events in Russia this year to follow suit.”
Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries also welcomed Formula One’s decision to scrap the Sochi Grand Prix.
She said: “The withdrawal of the Russian Grand Prix is yet another clear message to President Putin that the international sporting world will not stand by and allow him to use these events to legitimise his illegal and deadly invasion of Ukraine.
"I welcome the action taken by the FIA and its drivers. We are working at pace with governing bodies linked to international sporting events due to be hosted in Russia this year and are urging them to follow suit.”
