Following Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine, UEFA withdrew Saint Petersburg of its hosting rights for the 2022 Champions League final, which will be held in Paris.
On Friday, Russian troops advanced further into Ukraine, spurring widespread condemnation and sanctions from World leaders.
The decision to play the game at the Stade de France, which last hosted the Champions League final in 2006 when Barcelona beat Arsenal to win the European Cup for the second time, was reaffirmed by UEFA’s Executive Committee during an unusual meeting on Friday.
In a statement, the governing body said: “Following the grave escalation of the security situation in Europe, the UEFA Executive Committee convened an extraordinary meeting today.
“The UEFA Executive Committee has decided to move the 2021-22 UEFA Men’s Champions League final from Saint Petersburg to Saint-Denis’ Stade de France. The game will take place on Saturday, May 28 at 9 p.m. CET [3 p.m. ET], as scheduled.
“UEFA wishes to express its gratitude to President of the French Republic Emmanuel Macron for his personal support and commitment in helping to bring European club football’s most prestigious game to France during a moment of unprecedented turmoil.
“UEFA will completely support multi-stakeholder initiatives to secure the provision of rescue for football players and their families in Ukraine who are facing extreme human suffering, destruction, and displacement, in cooperation with the French government.
The Kremlin expressed its disappointment with UEFA’s decision on Friday, stating that the city would have been an excellent host for a “football festival.”
After being awarded the game in 2021, the Krestovsky Stadium was scheduled to host the final on May 28. However, the game was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.
UEFA chose Paris as the host city despite the possibility of Paris Saint-Germain playing in the final this season. PSG travel to Real Madrid for the second leg of a round of 16 tie next month with a 1-0 lead from the first game at Parc des Princes, due to the French capital’s ability to host a potential influx of 100,000 traveling supporters.
UEFA has announced that until further notice, Russian and Ukrainian clubs and national teams competing in UEFA competitions must play their home matches at neutral venues.
Spartak Moscow, who are set to compete in the Europa League round of 16 next month, will be affected by the ruling.