What did Russia say about the relocation of the Champions League final?

Russia regretted UEFA's decision to move to Paris for the Champions League final that was to be played next May 28 in St. Petersburg.

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"It is a pity, of course, that such a decision was made," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told a press conference.

He added that St. Petersburg, the country's second-largest city, was able to offer "pleasant and comfortable conditions for the celebration of this soccer festival".

Asked whether the Kremlin considers UEFA's decision a politicization of sport, Peskov replied, "No, I wouldn't say that."

UEFA met and immediately changed location

The UEFA Executive Committee urgently convened on February 24 following the Russian military incursion into Ukrainian territory and "the serious escalation of the security situation in Europe", communicated this measure after strongly condemning the action of the Russian army.

The Executive, whose members include Russian Federation President Alexander Dyukov and Ukrainian Federation President Andrii Pavelko, also decided that Russian and Ukrainian clubs and national teams competing in UEFA competitions will have to play their home matches at neutral venues until further notice.

In a statement, UEFA expressed its thanks and appreciation to French President Emmanuel Macron for his personal support and commitment to bringing the most prestigious match in European club soccer to France at a time of unprecedented crisis.

The change is made for security reasons due to the conflict between Russia and Ukraine

The change of venue will have a 60-70 million euro impact on Vladimir Putin's hometown, a significant financial injection that will no longer be received for hosting the most important match of the year at the club level.

It was to be the big club-level event at the St. Petersburg Arena, a very expensive stadium that took more than a decade to build. It took more than ten years from the time the foundation stone was laid in 2007 until it was inaugurated.

Some 800 million dollars were invested and its construction was carried out with doubts and uncertainty as to where both the funds and the labor force responsible for the construction of the Zenit temple came from.

A pharaonic project that resulted in one of the most modern stadiums in the country, with a capacity for 70,000 spectators, a retractable roof, and located on an island bathed by the Neva River.

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