UEFA orders club sides from Russia and Ukraine – plus both national teams – to play on NEUTRAL soil

UEFA have refused to kick Russian teams out of European competitions despite the country’s invasion of Ukraine.

However, the organising body ruled that Russian and Ukrainian clubs and both national teams will have to play their upcoming fixtures at neutral venues due to the ongoing war.

The announcement was made by UEFA in Friday’s executive committee meeting, where St Petersburg was stripped of hosting the Champions League final, which will now be played at the Stade de France in Paris. 

The ruling could affect Russia’s hopes of qualifying for the World Cup, as they were due to host Poland in a play-off semi-final next month but will now be denied home advantage in that match and, if they win, in the final against either Sweden or Czech Republic .

Ukraine will not be affected by the ruling as they visit Scotland in their play-off semi-final and were due to play the final away from home anyway if they get through.

No Russian or Ukrainian sides are left in the Champions League but Spartak Moscow are still in the Europa League and will be denied a home game in their last-16 tie against RB Leipzig. 

Russian president Vladimir Putin ordered the full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Thursday with troops attacking the country from the north, east and south, inflicting enormous damage to military installations and civilian casualties. 

A statement from UEFA read: ‘The UEFA Executive Committee today held an extraordinary meeting following the grave escalation of the security situation in Europe.  

The decision could affect Russia’s bid to qualify for the 2022 World Cup as they were to host Poland in their play-off semi-final but the game will now be held on neutral soil

Ukraine were not due to play their play-offs at home so will be largely unaffected by the decision for now

Spartak Moscow are the only remaining Russian team in UEFA’s club competitions and will have to play the home leg of their last-16 tie against RB Leipzig on neutral soil

‘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.

‘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.

‘The UEFA Executive Committee further determined to remain on standby to convene further extraordinary meetings, on a regular ongoing basis where required, to reassess the legal and factual situation as it evolves and adopt further decisions as necessary.’