The European football governing body has come to a decision to change the country host for this season's Champions League final.
UEFA on Friday, February 25, announced the change of the venue of the Champions League 2021/2022 from St Petersburg Stadium, Russia to the Stade de France in France.
The final was scheduled to take place on May 28, 2022, in St Petersburg, Russia but has since been moved following the latest conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
“UEFA 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 moved to France at a time of unparalleled crisis.
“Together with the French government, UEFA will fully support multi-stakeholder efforts to ensure the provision of rescue for football players and their families in Ukraine who face dire human suffering, destruction and displacement,” UEFA stated.
With the change of venue, France will host the European competition final after a 16-year hiatus where Arsenal suffered a 2-1 defeat to Barcelona.
UEFA also announced that it will relocate any games in tournaments that are scheduled to take place in either Russia or Ukraine.
"The UEFA Executive Committee also decided that Russian and Ukrainian clubs and national teams competing in UEFA competitions will be required to play their home matches at neutral venues until further notice,” part of the letter by UEFA read.
The UEFA decision comes amid pressure from some of the European lawmakers who asked the governing body to move the final from Russia.
“We call on you to stop considering Saint Petersburg and other Russian cities as venues for international football competitions and to choose as a first and very urgent step an alternative venue for the Champions League final on May 28, 2022,” part of the letter read.