UEFA is “constantly and closely monitoring” the deepening military crisis in Ukraine and could move the Champions League final from Saint Petersburg after Russia sent troops into the eastern European nation.The showpiece event is due to be played at the Gazprom Arena in Russia’s second-largest city on May 28 but UEFA has already come under pressure to move the final after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered troops into two rebel-held regions in eastern Ukraine on Monday evening.UEFA is planning to play the match in Saint Petersburg as planned, but The Athletic understands European football’s governing body is confident in its ability to move the final at short notice if absolutely necessary, as it managed last season when the venue was switched from Istanbul to Porto due to the COVID-19 pandemic.The governing body said in a statement: “UEFA is constantly and closely monitoring the situation. At present, there are no plans to change the venue.”Four English clubs — Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United — are involved in the ongoing round of 16. It is anticipated that the Foreign Office will soon change its advice on travel to Russia. Currently, the Foreign Office warns against all but essential travel to several different regions of the country. The situation in Ukraine worsened on Monday when Putin recognised two rebel-held regions in eastern Ukraine, Donetsk and Luhansk, as independent states. Footage released overnight appeared to show Russian military vehicles heading towards the Ukrainian border.Russia said these troops would be “peacekeeping” in the breakaway regions.On Tuesday, Russia said its recognition of independence for the rebel-held areas extends to territory currently held by Ukrainian forces — Ukraine controls some, but not all, of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.The statement further raised the stakes amid Western fears Putin could follow up his statement with a full-fledged invasion of Ukraine.(Photo: Getty Images)
