UEFA to move Champions League final from Russia due to Ukraine crisis as president Aleksander Ceferin calls 'extraordinary meeting' of Executive Committee

Due to the situation in Ukraine, the final of the European club competition will be moved from St. Petersburg to Friday.

The final was due to take place at the 68,000-capacity Gazprom Arena in St Petersburg on May 28 but the Executive Committee has called an extraordinary meeting on Friday and a new venue will be announced.

There were blasts in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, as well as in the cities of Odessa and Kharkiv, after Putin ordered an attack on the country.

Following the evolution of the situation between Russia and Ukraine, the UEFA president has called an extraordinary meeting of the Executive Committee for 10:00 CET on Friday 25 February, in order to evaluate the situation and take all necessary decisions.

— UEFA (@UEFA) February 24, 2022

Following the evolution of the situation between Russia and Ukraine in the last 24 hours, the President of the European football governing body decided to call an extraordinary meeting of the Executive Committee on Friday 25 February at 10:00CET.

In other developments.

• All of Thursday's European games are expected to go ahead, including Zenit St Petersburg's Europa League clash with Real Betis in Spain.
• Sky Sports News has contacted FIFA for comment on whether Russia's World Cup qualifier against Poland will still go ahead on March 24 at the Dynamo Central Stadium in Moscow. Poland have not asked for the game to be suspended but want clarity on it's staging
• Sky Sports News has contacted the Scottish FA regarding their World Cup qualifier against Ukraine at Hampden Park on March 24 and their two UEFA Nations League games in June in Scotland and September in Ukraine
• The FAI have said they are working with the government, UEFA and the Ukrainian FA over their UEFA Nations League clash in Lviv on June 14
• The Ukrainian league - due to restart this weekend after its winter break - has been suspended after the president announced Martial Law in the country.
• Sky in Italy are reporting Shakhtar Donetsk's Italian manager Roberto De Zerbi is currently stuck in a Kyiv hotel alongside eight staff members as well as his Brazilian players and their families
• Former world champion Sebastian Vettel says he will not race at Formula One's Russian Grand Prix this season as the sport says it is "closely watching" events but offered no comment on whether September's race will go ahead
• Boxers Wladimir Klitschko and Vitali Klitschko urged the international community to "stay united against Russian aggression" and not to let it "happen in the Ukraine, Europe and eventually the world"

Where could Champions League final move to?

The venue for the final of the 2020 and 2021 editions was changed due to the coronaviruses epidemic, but the governing body may wait until the latter stages of the competition to see which teams remain in the tournament.

There would be pressure to host it in the UK but two major stadiums are not available.

Also See:

• Champions League fixtures
• Champions League results

Key developments

• Explosions heard in major cities including Kyiv and Kharkiv
• Shelling in western city of Lviv reported by Ukrainian emergency service
• Ukraine says Russia has launched a 'full-scale invasion' and 'war of aggression'
• Vladimir Putin ordered a 'military operation' in Ukraine's Donbas region
• Joe Biden says US and its allies will respond amid global condemnation

Wembley will host the Sky Bet Championship play-off final on May 28 while the Spurs will host the Betfred Challenge Cup Final on the same day.

It could open the door to another venue in London, West Ham's London Stadium, which would have more space in the summer.

State of shock at Shakhtar as football suspended in Ukraine

Sky Sports News spoke to two officials at Shakhtar, following the start of Russia's invasion of the country.

Both have described a state of shock, fear and confusion, with the Ukrainian premier league season now suspended.

One official has told us that he intends to stay and fight for his country, even though he has been training in the use of firearms.

The club staff is spread throughout the country, including in Kharkiv, where there have been explosions, and in the east, where there have been independence movements.

The club has set up a group on the internet to keep track of staff members and discuss their next steps. Their main priority is the well-being of staff and their families.

They posted a picture of the Ukrainian flag with the comment "We'll endure it!" on their social media.

The Ukrainian league was suspended after the president announced martial law in the country.

Since fighting broke out in the eastern Donbass region of the country in the summer of 2014, they have been playing in Kyiv.

No decision yet on Russian Grand Prix

Formula One says it is closely watching the events in Ukraine, but has no comment on whether the Russian Grand Prix will go ahead.

The bosses of the sport released a statement on Thursday after Russia launched an invasion of Ukraine.

The race in Sochi is on the F1 calendar and will take place on September 25.

Formula One is keeping an eye on the developments and has no further comment at this time.