London (AP) – British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has asked the European Football Union UEFA to move the Champions League final from the Russian city of St. Petersburg.
“No chance of holding football tournaments in a Russia invading sovereign states,” Johnson said in Parliament in London. “At this critical moment, it is absolutely critical that President (Vladimir) Putin understands that what he is doing spells disaster for Russia.”
Johnson announced sanctions against five Russian banks and three Russian businessmen with close ties to Putin. The Kremlin chief had previously recognized the self-proclaimed separatist republics in eastern Ukraine as independent states. Russia will be poorer, more isolated and a pariah state because of the sanctions, Johnson said. Sports Minister Nadine Dorries announced discussions. “We will not allow President Putin to use events on the world stage to legitimize his illegal invasion of Ukraine,” Dorries tweeted.
In an open letter to UEFA and its President Aleksander Ceferin, members of the European Parliament in Strasbourg also called on St. Petersburg to withdraw the final. Gone are the days of just observing the situation continuously. “UEFA must act now,” the letter stressed.
“We urge you to stop considering St. Petersburg and other Russian cities as venues for international football competitions,” the statement said. UEFA should now “choose an alternative venue for the Champions League final on May 28, 2022 as a first and extremely urgent step.” MEPs called on UEFA to convene a special executive session to end cooperation with the Russian energy company Gazprom.
The final of Europe’s premier club football competition is scheduled to take place on May 28 in St. Petersburg, the hometown of Russian President Vladimir Putin. UEFA said there were “currently no plans to change the venue”. The situation is being closely monitored. British foreign policy expert Tom Tugendhat sharply criticized this. “This is a shameful decision. UEFA should not provide cover for a violent dictatorship,” the Conservative politician tweeted. According to information from the German Press Agency, the association will again advise on how to proceed on February 22nd.
Regarding international matches of Russian champions Zenit St. Petersburg, UEFA said it is in close contact with national associations and clubs. “It is currently planned that all games will take place as planned,” it said. Zenit meet Betis Sevilla in the Europa League second leg in Spain on February 24.