UEFA condemns the Russian attack: "No Champions League final in St. Petersburg"
The players also take a stand. Malinovskyi urges support for the Kiev army. F1, Vettel: “I don't want to race in Russia”.
The stadium in St. Petersburg
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After the invasion of the Moscow troops in Ukraine , football also takes action against Russia.
In fact, Uefa is about to suspend the assignment of the 2022 Champions League final on 28 May in Saint Petersburg, which is also the hometown of President Vladimir Putin.
After having convened an extraordinary executive for tomorrow, "the strong condemnation of the Russian military invasion in Ukraine" arrives from Nyon.
"We are facing this situation with the utmost seriousness and urgency. The decisions will be taken and announced tomorrow", underlines Uefa.
The British media have already taken the decision, not confirmed by Nyon: the hypothesis is to suspend the office, without a new assignment, leaving it sub iudice. A decision to remove the UCL final from the Russian city, urged by many parties, including on social networks.
Open condemnation of the Moscow attack was expressed by many Ukrainian footballers. Starting with Ruslan Malinovskyi, Atalanta midfielder, who shared an appeal from his wife to
support the cause after the Russian invasion, also posting useful references to make donations to support the army of Kiev.
Even among Russian footballers there are those who take a stand. Like Fedor Smolov, forward of Dynamo Moscow and the national team. On his social media profiles, Smolov posted the message "No to war" on a black background, accompanied by the initials of Ukraine (UA) and a broken heart.
In Ukraine, the war led to a halt to the football championship. "We woke up with the explosions," said Roberto De Zerbi, Shakthar Donetsk's Italian coach. He and his staff of eight compatriots are currently in Kiev, "in safe conditions".
Even in motor racing, a boycott of Russia is called for. “I can't speak on behalf of the Formula 1 drivers association, but personally I don't want to race in Russia and F1 shouldn't be racing there. So many people are dying for stupid reasons, "said former Ferrari driver, now at Aston Martin, Sebastian Vettel during the F1 test press conference in Montmelo:" What is happening is horrible, I am shocked. As for me, I have already made the decision, I will not race in Sochi in September ", added the German driver.
(Unioneonline / lf)
