The UEFA, which “firmly” condemned the Russian military invasion on Thursday, decided to urgently meet its executive committee on Friday.
Its members could decide on changes to the calendar for the coming months, including taking sanctions against Moscow, in line with the international community.
At the peak of the pyramid of sporting events in Russia is the Champions League final on May 28 in Saint Petersburg, whose stadium is named after the gas giant Gazprom, one of UEFA’s main sponsors since 2012.
“No decision has been made” on the UEFA for the moment, but the European confederation “is working on different options” to relocate the match, a close source explained to AFP.
Moscow also plans to host the semifinal of a playoff of the 2022 World Cup between Russia and Poland on March 24.and perhaps the final against Sweden or the Czech Republic if ‘Sbornaïa’ beat Robert Lewandowski’s team.
In a joint statement, the soccer federations of Poland, the Czech Republic and Sweden requested that it not be played in Russia.
The FIFA he stated that he will decide on that question “in due course”. Its president, Gianni Infantino, said he was “concerned” about the “tragic and disturbing” situation in Ukraine.
In addition to the Champions League final, the Polish Ministry of Sports also suggested the withdrawal of Russia from the organization of the men’s volleyball World Cup, which begins on August 26.
For its part, the German soccer club Schalke (second division) decided to remove the name and logo of the Russian gas company Gazprom, its main sponsor, from its shirts.
The Betis-Zenit match of the Europe League football remained as planned this Thursday. Zenit is owned by Gazprom.
The Euroleague of basketball announced the suspension of three games with Russian teams in its 27th day, Zenit-Barcelona, Baskonia-Unics Kazan and Bayern Munich-CSKA Moscow.
Formula 1 world champions, Max Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel They don’t see themselves participating in the Russian GP in September either.
To play in Ukraine seems even more complicated. The European Handball Federation (EHF) decided to relocate or postpone the matches that were to be played on Ukrainian soil for the next four weeks.
The explosion of the conflict led the Ukrainian soccer league on Thursday to suspend the Ukrainian championship, which was due to resume this Friday after more than two months of local winter break.
Several foreign players and coaches were alarmed by the situation, faced with the dilemma of whether to leave the territory or remain loyal to their clubs.
“We are in a hotel due to this whole situation. (…) We ask for the support of the Brazilian government, which can help us, and you so that this video reaches the largest possible number of viewers”said defender Marlon, 26, one of 13 Brazilian players for Shakhtar Donetsk, a frequent participant in the European Champions League.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) accused Moscow on Thursday of having violated the Olympic truce by invading Ukraine, and announced its willingness to offer humanitarian assistance to Ukrainian athletes. The Beijing Winter Paralympics are held from March 4 to 13 and the Olympic Games ended on Sunday.
“IOC President Thomas Bach reiterates today his call for peace launched in the speeches he gave at the opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympic Games”declared the IOC in its statement.
Outside the country, several Ukrainian footballers took up positions, such as Benfica striker Roman Yaremchuk or Manchester City defender Oleksandr Zinchenko.
“Glory to Ukraine”tennis player Elena Svitolina wrote on Instagram.
Russian international footballer Fyodor Smolov wrote “Not to the war”next to a Ukrainian flag and a broken heart.
The tennis player Andrew Rublev advocated “peace” after his victory in the quarterfinals of the Dubai Tournament, which “does not matter” in view of the “terrible context”.
Source: Ambito
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