The location for the 2022 Champions League final is in danger of being moved from the Krestovsky Stadium, Saint Petersburg, following the Russia vs Ukraine conflict, although until now UEFA has confirmed that there has been no change.
The European Football Association (UEFA) in an official statement declared the Champions League final at the Krestovsky Stadium, St. Petersburg, Russia, next May 28, will go according to plan. Even so, UEFA will continue to monitor the latest developments in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
"UEFA continues to monitor the situation. So far there are no plans to change the venue of the match," reads an official UEFA statement
Rumors of the Champions League final being threatened with a move from Russia emerged after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the decision to send troops to the Donbas region, eastern Ukraine. UEFA is still taking a safe attitude because there has not been a vital event that has the potential to threaten security at St. Petersburg. However, Wembley Stadium in London is said to be ready to be a replacement location if UEFA officially moves the arena of the 2022 Champions League final. The transfer of the Champions League final has occurred. In the 2021 final edition, the match between Chelsea and Manchester City was also moved from Istanbul to Porto. At that time the reason for the transfer was based on a Turkish government regulation that included Britain on the red list of countries that could potentially transmit Covid-19. Russia last hosted the Champions League final in 2008 at the Luzhniki Stadium, Moscow. At that time, Manchester United won the penalty shootout against Chelsea. City of St. Petersburg is also experienced in holding big football events such as the 2018 World Cup and several Euro 2020 matches in mid-2021. However, UEFA is reportedly still working on contingency plans for the final match. Wembley Stadium in London, England, is an alternative location for the 2022 Champions League final. Wembley is estimated to be able to bring profits of up to 60 million Pounds, it can even increase if there is a Premier League team that penetrates the final party. The discourse of moving the location of the Champions League final has the support of a member of the British parliament, Julian Knight. The Conservative Party politician assessed that Russia was not worthy of holding the top match at a time of conflict with Ukraine.
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