European football’s governing body, UEFA, is under pressure to strip the Champions League final from Russia.
Four English sides – Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United – are in the last 16 of the competition, and the final is due to be played at the Gazprom Arena in St Petersburg on 28 May.
However, amid increasing tensions between Russia and Ukraine, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has suggested Russia should be stripped of hosting the final.
‘Invasion has begun’ UK says – latest updates as Ukraine crisis deepens
UEFA is holding internal talks about potentially moving the match and no decision has yet been made.
The governing body says it currently has “no plans” to change the venue, but is “constantly and closely monitoring the situation”.
Ukraine key developments:
• PM announces ‘first barrage’ of sanctions on Russia
• International condemnation at UN Security Council as Putin recognises independence of separatist regions
• Germany halts approval of Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline
Political pressure on UEFA
Mr Johnson on Tuesday warned of “a Russia that is more isolated” and said its “pariah status” following the “renewed invasion” of Ukraine bars it from holding football games on the international stage.
He told MPs there is “no chance of holding football tournaments in a Russia that invades sovereign countries”.
Tom Tugendhat, Tracey Crouch and Nadine Dorries also joined calls for Russia to be stripped of the final.
Mr Tugendhat, who is chairman of the Commons foreign affairs committee, said: “UEFA should not be providing cover to a violent dictatorship.”
Source : skynews
