UEFA have confirmed in a statement today that this season’s Champions League final will now be held in Stade de France, Paris. The decision comes in the aftermath of the shocking events that have unfolded in Ukraine over the last few days. 

The final was initially supposed to be held in Krestovsky Stadium, also known as Gazprom Stadium, situated in St. Petersburg, Russia.

“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.

“At today’s meeting, the UEFA Executive Committee also decided that Russian and Ukrainian clubs and national teams competing in UEFA competitions will be required to play their home matches at neutral venues until further notice.” read the statement from UEFA. 

UEFA had released a statement condemning Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine, adding that any decision on the venue will be taken by the UEFA Executive Committee. Since then, there were rumours of the final being moved to England. 

The 2021-22 final will likely be played in front of a capacity crowd, which would be a first since the onset of COVID-19.