The terrible and dangerous escalation of the crisis between Russia and Ukraine also raises concerns from a sporting perspective, starting from football. The Russian National Team will be involved in the World Cup Qualification Playoffs and are set to host Poland at VTB Arena in Moscow, Russia, on March 24. However, at the moment, FIFA has not taken an official position on the matter, pending the development of events in the next few days.
Ukraine will also participate in the World Cup Playoffs on March 24, in a knockout match against Scotland at Hampden Park in Glasgow. Galles-Austria, Sweden-Czech Republic, Italy-North Macedonia and Portugal-Turkey are the other matches scheduled for the day.
The international football scene is also focused on another key topic. The Champions League final is scheduled to take place in Saint Petersburg on Saturday, May 28: a location which many have begun to doubt due to political circumstances.
For now, UEFA has not taken any official position. The European football body says it is monitoring the situation. “UEFA is constantly and closely monitoring the situation. At the moment, there are no plans to change the venue,” UEFA said in a statement. This comes after the proposal by UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson to change the location of the 2022 UEFA Champions League final from Saint Petersburg.
“It is vital that at this critical moment President Putin understands that what he is doing will be a disaster for Russia. He will end up with a poorer country as a result of the sanctions the world will implement. A more isolated Russia that will have no chance to host football events,” Boris Johnson told Sky Sport News UK.
Source: AIPS