UEFA

executives are keeping a close eye on the growing hostilities between Russia and Ukraine with a view to potentially moving the Champions League final from St Petersburg if war breaks out. Although UEFA attempt to stay out of political disputes, the presence of 100,000 Russian troops on the Ukraine border has become impossible to ignore, and an invasion would prompt discussions about taking the showpiece to another venue, which would be a humiliating blow to Russia. A decision is unlikely to be taken until much closer to the final on May 28, but UEFA sources have pointed out that last year’s final was switched from Istanbul to Lisbon at just two weeks’ notice due to evolving Covid travel restrictions and they retain the flexibility to make another late change.