UEFA is facing mounting pressure to strip St. Petersburg of the Champions League Final following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
European football’s governing body today reiterated that it was "constantly and closely monitoring the situation," but "at present, there are no plans to change the venue”.
This has been UEFA's position since Russian troops amassed on the Ukrainian border earlier this month.
The Champions League Final is due to be held at St. Petersburg's Gazprom Arena on May 28, although Russia's decision to move troops into two rebel-held regions of Ukraine yesterday has sparked fears of war and is likely to prompt intense pressure for UEFA to reconsider the venue.
Tom Tugendhat, MP and chair of the Foreign Affairs Select Committee, responded to UEFA's statement this morning by tweeting: "This is a shameful decision. @UEFA should not be providing cover to a violent dictatorship."
This is a shameful decision. @UEFA should not be providing cover to a violent dictatorship. https://t.co/Mls0yiOiCH
— Tom Tugendhat (@TomTugendhat) February 22, 2022
Julian Knight, the chair of the Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, also called for a rethink, telling The Telegraph: "It’s something that must be considered given this naked act of aggression. To host such a landmark event as the Russian tanks roll sends out all the wrong messages."
Former sports minister Tracey Crouch told PoliticsHome on Tuesday that Uefa should “urgently reconsider” the decision to hold the final in St. Petersburg.
UEFA insiders said its position could quickly change. The last two Champions League Finals have been moved at short notice due to Covid restrictions, with last year's final switched from St. Petersburg to Porto and the 2020 edition moved from Istanbul to Lisbon.
Wembley would be high on UEFA's list of possible venues for a rearranged final this summer, particularly given the Football Association's (FA) close relationship with UEFA and the end to all Covid restrictions in England, announced by the government yesterday. Istanbul, which missed out on hosting two years ago, is also likely to be considered.
