European football governing body, UEFA, is set to move he venue of this season’s Champions League final away from Russia.
This is after Russian president Vladimir Putin launched a military invasion of neighbouring Ukraine on Thursday, and the crisis has drawn global attention.
This season’s final had been billed to hold at the Gazprom Arena in St Petersburg on May 28, but with the latest development, a new venue could be announced soon.
The decision will be made at Friday’s emergency meeting of UEFA executives.
Meanwhile, World football’s governing body, FIFA, is to meet on Thursday with Russia and Ukraine both scheduled to play in World Cup play-off matches in March.
Russia are due to play Poland on March 24, while Scotland host Ukraine on the same day.
Ukraine’s domestic football league was set to resume this weekend after a winter break but that will remain suspended. Fifteen of the most recent 23-man Ukraine squad play in their homeland.
Sweden are also in the play-offs and would meet Russia for a place at the World Cup finals if both win their semi-finals.
Meanwhile, Zenit St Petersburg’s Europa League game against Spanish side Real Betis on Thursday will go ahead as planned, Uefa has confirmed.
