Wednesday, October 28, 2026

Russia-Ukraine Crisis: UEFA moves Champions League finals to Paris

The European club football final will now be held at Stade de France in the French capital on May 28.

• February 25, 2022
UEFA Champions League Trophy
UEFA Champions League Trophy

The Executive Committee of UEFA has moved the final of the 2022 Champions League from St Petersburg to Paris. This follows the escalation of crisis as Russia invaded neighbouring Ukraine in a military offensive on Thursday.

The European club football final will now be held at Stade de France in the French capital on May 28.

UEFA also decided that Russian and Ukrainian clubs and national teams would no longer play their home games at home but on neutral grounds until further notice.

This decision is set to affect Spartak Moscow in the current Europa League campaign and both the Ukraine and Russian national teams in the upcoming 2022-2023 UEFA Nations League set to kick-off in June. 

An official statement from UEFA on Friday morning read, “The UEFA Executive Committee today held an extraordinary meeting following the grave escalation of the security situation in Europe. 

“The UEFA Executive Committee decided to relocate the final of the 2021/22 UEFA Men’s Champions League from Saint Petersburg to Stade de France in Saint-Denis. The game will be played as initially scheduled on Saturday 28 May at 21:00 CET.

“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.”

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

Nigerian Bar Association

States

Independence: NBA urges Nigerians to expect better future

The NBA said that ordinary Nigerians should be deriving benefit from the subsidy removal rather than hardship.

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

police

States

Police rescue 29 kidnap victims, arrest 34 foreigners in Benue

The commissioner also disclosed that the command was investigating cases of child abuse, homicide, cult-related violence and defilement.

Governor Hope Uzodimma

Politics

2027: Uzodimma ‌‍‌launches door-to-door campaign for Tinubu

Mr Uzodimma said the state resolved to lead the crusade after carefully assessing the president’s achievements and the need for continuity.

Prince David Nwabueze

Diaspora

U.S. authorities deport Prince David Nwabueze convicted of robbery, marijuana possession

A statement by the DHS on Tuesday listed Mr Nwabueze among the worst illegal aliens who have been removed to third countries.

Toluwanisins with his wife and children

Showbiz

‘Don’t forget your children and me,’ late Toluwasings’ wife says at night of tributes

The event venue, Jogor Centre, Ibadan, was filled with fans and colleagues dressed in white to celebrate the young gospel artiste.

Nigerian Exchange

Economy

Data governance gaps can make capital costlier for African firms: NGX

Mr Popoola said businesses with reliable data, strong controls and resilient systems are better positioned to earn investors’ confidence.

Persons With Disabilities (PWDs)

Politics

2027: Parties’ high nomination fees preventing us from contesting elections, PWDs say

Mr Zango said most political parties did not provide a platform for persons with special needs during primary elections and appointments.