UEFA has scheduled a special meeting of the Executive Committee for Friday. Most urgent point is in light of Russia’s attack on Ukraine the postponement of the final of the Champions League, which according to previous plans was to take place on May 28, 2022 in the Gazprom Arena in Saint Petersburg. According to information from the sports show, this measure has already been decided, and the executive committee should confirm it on Friday. The American news agency Associated Press and the sports information service also report on the transfer. A new venue has not yet been announced.
“After the development of the situation between Russia and Ukraine in the last 24 hours” UEFA announced that UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin had decided to convene the extraordinary meeting of the Executive Committee. At this appointment should “evaluate the situation and do whatever is necessary”. UEFA has been refusing further comments on the situation for days. The final planned in Saint Petersburg had been criticized by politicians in view of the Russian aggression against Ukraine. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson, several MPs and members of the European Parliament called for the game to be rescheduled.
Rainer Koch, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and a Gazprom official were there
Participants in the meeting will also be DFB President Rainer Koch and Bayern Munich’s former CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge as a representative of the ECA club association. “It’s a very delicate situation that can change hourly and of course we’re all keeping an eye on it.”said Koch at the request of the sports show on Tuesday. “At the moment it’s about securing world peace and is therefore much more important than football. UEFA will communicate any consequences for football if necessary.” Rummenigge did not comment on request.
With Alexander Dyukov, the president of the Russian Football Association is also there. Dyukov is also CEO of the Russian oil company Gazprom Neft, a subsidiary of the Russian state-owned energy company Gazprom. A simple majority among the 20 members is required for votes in the Executive Committee, in the event of a stalemate the President decides.
Close ties between Gazprom and UEFA
Close cooperation has existed between Gazprom and UEFA for a long time. The company has been a sponsor of the Champions League since 2012. The partnership was extended last year to 2024 and now also includes the Nations League and the EM 2024 in Germany. The last Russian officials to sit on the UEFA Executive Committee or on the FIFA Council on behalf of UEFA had a connection with the company. This also applies to Dyukov, who has been a member of the UEFA executive since 2021.
“Gazprom has proven to be one of our most trusted partners over the years”enthused UEFA marketing director Guy-Laurent Epstein in a statement expanding sponsorship. “Gazprom is not only a leader in its field, it also has a long tradition in football and we look forward to working even more closely together in the years to come.”
Criticism of Gazprom’s sponsorship
Several politicians also called for an end to Gazprom’s sponsorship of UEFA. MEP Viola von Cramon (The Greens) said in an interview with Sportschau: “UEFA should actually take all measures to contain the war – even if they may hurt: This includes ending sponsorship contracts with Gazprom for the European Championship in Germany, excluding Russian officials from the committees and Saint Petersburg hosting the Champions League – to evade the final.”
When asked by the sports show, UEFA did not answer the amount of Gazprom’s payments and possible influence on decisions. It is initially unclear whether UEFA will question the sponsorship with Gazprom. As things stand, the company, which the government uses politically as a geostrategic instrument of power, is still a sponsor of the Champions League and the 2024 European Championship, which will be held in Germany.