The Stade de France in Paris will now host the final
The 2022 Champions League final has been moved from Russia to Paris after UEFA voted to change the venue as punishment for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
It was scheduled to take place in St Petersburg on May 28, but governing body UEFA came under increasing pressure to find an alternative host city after Russian president Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion on Ukraine.
Instead, the final will take place at the Stade de France, Paris. It will be the first time France has hosted the final since 2006.
As reported by Rob Harris, UEFA says it “wishes to express its thanks and appreciation to French Republic President Emmanuel Macron for his personal support and commitment to have European club football’s most prestigious game”.
Confirmation CL final moved from St Petersburg to Stade de France
UEFA says it "wishes to express its thanks and appreciation to French Republic President Emmanuel Macron for his personal support and commitment to have European club football’s most prestigious game"— Rob Harris (@RobHarris) February 25, 2022
Additionally, UEFA also announced that it would relocate any games in tournaments it controls that are due to be played in Russia and Ukraine, at both club and international level.
Four English teams – Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea, and Liverpool – are all among the final 16 teams in the Champions League.
Chelsea beat Manchester City in the final last year, which took place in Portugal and Liverpool previously won the league in 2019.
Related links:
- Klitschko brothers to take up arms to defend Ukraine from Russian invasion
- Zenit St Peteresburg exit Europa League after late VAR controversy
- Zenit drop Ukrainian defender Yaroslav Rakitskiy for speaking out against Russian invasion
