Russia-Ukraine war's football impact as World Cup and Champions League affected

Russia's invasion of Ukraine will prove devasting for the people of the Eastern European country that is under attack, and will also be highly disruptive for football in both nations.

Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of his country's neighbour early on Thursday morning after months of military build-up.

Explosions have been heard across Ukraine, with Russian missiles, tanks and warplanes targeting airports, military bases and cities, with air raid sirens also heard in the capital Kyiv.

Russia 's actions are also set to affect both the Champions League, Europa League and World Cup, with Ukrainian and Russian involvement in all three competitions.

Here, Mirror Football looks at how the war in Ukraine will affect football across the world…

HAVE YOUR SAY! Should St Petersburg be stripped of the Champions League final? Comment below.

Domestic football

After Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy introduced martial law following the invasion, the country's Premier League was paused.

The suspension will last for a minimum of 30 days, with the league having been set to return on Friday following their winter break.

That restart has now been delayed for at least a month as Ukraine battles to fight off the Russians, but some of the teams will not be evacuating.

"I will not leave Kyiv and return to Romania, I am not a coward," Dynamo Kyiv manager Mirceu Lucescu said.

"I hope this war started by people with no brains will be stopped as soon as possible. I never thought it possible that this war would start."

Champions League and Europa League

As the invasion unfolds, UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has called an extraordinary meeting of the organisation's executive committee.

"Following the evolution of the situation between Russia and Ukraine in the last 24 hours, the UEFA President has decided to call an extraordinary meeting of the Executive Committee in order to evaluate the situation and take all necessary decisions," a UEFA statement read.

They are set to strip St Petersburg of the Champions League final, with politicians having lined up to proclaim their opposition to Russia keeping the showpiece event.

The game is currently scheduled to take place on 28 May, with stadiums across Europe now being considered as alternative hosts.

Wembley and the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium would be unavailable if UEFA decided to keep the original date.

UEFA already postponed the Youth League last-16 tie between Dynamo Kyiv and Sporting Lisbon, which had scheduled to be played in the Ukraine capital on 2 March.

The Europa League could also be affected, with Russian side Zenit St Petersburg set to face Real Betis in the second leg of their last 16 tie on Thursday.

Betis carry a 3-2 lead on aggregate into the second leg, but UEFA may decide the postpone the fixture or even kick Zenit out of the competition.

UEFA also have a lucrative sponsorship deal with Gazprom, an energy company backed by the Russia state.

They have come under serious pressure from politicians and broadcasters to rip up that agreement in light of the invasion.

World Cup

Both Ukraine and Russia are involved in the World Cup qualification play-offs set to take place at the end of March.

Ukraine are scheduled to travel to Scotland, while Russia are set to host Poland as they battle to reach Qatar.

Both of those games could now come under threat, with the likelihood of the crisis being over by 24 March unknown.

Russia would face Sweden or the Czech Republic if they beat Poland, but the chairman of the Swedish Football Association (SvFF) has insisted they will not play in light of the invasion.

"The feelings we have as we wake up this morning are that it is almost unthinkable that we in a few weeks would play a football match in Russia," Karl-Erik Nilsson told Reuters.

"As it looks here and now, today, there is absolutely no desire to play a football match in Russia. Our thoughts go to our friends in Ukraine over the situation they woke up to today, it's awful.

"Football should be seen as something of less importance in the middle of this inferno. We should take our time and see what actions are needed.

"For the moment we are looking forward to arms being laid down and that peace and freedom come into existence.

"At the moment they have a lot more to think about than football, but a future will arrive one day and we must show solidarity with our football friends around Europe."