UEFA could make U-turn on Champions League final decision amid threat of war

UEFA have confirmed they have "no plans" to move this season's Champions League final, although it's believed a U-turn on that decision could be imminent.

European football's showpiece event is scheduled to take place at the Gazprom Arena in Saint Petersburg, Russia on May 28.

Russian president Vladimir Putin ordered troops to carry out "peacekeeping" duties in the Ukrainian regions of Donetsk and Luhansk on Monday evening.

Russian tanks, armoured vehicles and trucks were seen crossing the Ukrainian border in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

The regions of Donetsk and Luhansk are currently under the control of pro-Russian rebels and Putin has recognised these as "independent states".

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But many countries - including the UK - have recognised Putin's orders as an invasion and an act of aggression rather than peace.

British prime minister Boris Johnson claims Putin has violated Ukraine's sovereignty and disregarded international law, promising to introduce a "barrage" of sanctions.

Ukraine's allies have also promised to punish Russia with economic sanctions and the US have dismissed Putin's "peacekeeping" claim as "nonsense".

Despite Russia's actions, UEFA are yet to strip them of the Champions League final.

"UEFA is constantly and closely monitoring the situation," confirmed a statement. "At present, there are no plans to change the venue."

UEFA will remain under severe pressure to change the Champions League final venue if the threat of a war between Russia and Ukraine doesn't diminish.

According to The Times, UEFA are currently discussing whether to move the event.

Wembley, which is set to host the final in May 2024, is being touted as a potential alternative venue. The London ground has previously hosted the 2011 and 2013 finals.

UEFA have been forced to move the last two Champions League finals due to Covid.

The 2020 final was switched from Istanbul to Lisbon, while last season's showpiece event was moved from Saint Petersburg to Porto.

UEFA are keen not to move the Champions League final for a third successful year but may be left with no choice if Russia's aggression continues.

A final in Saint Petersburg currently poses serious security and moral concerns.

In the event of a Russian-Ukrainian war, governments are unlikely to allow individuals - including players - to travel to Saint Petersburg. A boycott is also possible.

"Putin is indeed bent on a full scale invasion of the Ukraine, the overrunning, the subjugation of an independent, sovereign European country," said Johnson on Tuesday.

"And I think, let's be absolutely clear, that will be absolutely catastrophic.

"If Vladimir Putin continues down this track of violence, of aggression, of a full-scale invasion, of encircling Kyiv itself which is what he seems to be proposing to do, capturing the Ukrainian capital, it is absolutely vital that that effort, that conquest of another European country, should not succeed and that Putin should fail."

On the first set of sanctions, Johnson added: "They will hit Russia very hard and there is a lot more that we are going to do in the event of an invasion."