After the recognition of the Ukrainian separatist regions by Moscow, a possible prelude to an invasion, calls to relocate the final of the European competition, scheduled for May 28 in Saint Petersburg, are increasing. UEFA is procrastinating.
How might one of the most popular sporting events on the planet take place in a country at war, which has invaded the territory of its neighbour? That’s the question some football fans are asking as the conflict between Ukraine and Russia escalates. And one of them lives at 10 Downing Street, London. For Boris Johnson, it is inconceivable that this final, which is to be held on May 28 at the Gazprom Arena in Saint Petersburg, Russia, will be played out. The British Prime Minister said on Tuesday that there was no “no chance of holding football tournaments in a Russia that invades sovereign countries”, calling on Vladimir Putin to “retreat from the precipice” and not to proceed “a total invasion” from Ukraine.
Its Minister for Sports and Culture, Nadine Dorries, added on Twitter to have “deep concerns” on the organization of sporting events in Russia, citing in particular this Champions League final. “We will not allow President Putin to exploit events on the international scene to legitimize his illegal invasion of Ukraine,” she added, specifying that she would speak with the “competent governance bodies”.
“Vector of social emotions”
London having obviously decided to be at the forefront on this subject, the British Foreign Minister, Liz Truss, in turn spoke on Wednesday morning, urging the English clubs, in the event of qualification, to boycott the event. “If I was a member of an English team, I would boycott [la finale]. Personally, I wouldn’t want to play a football match in St. Petersburg, given what the Putin regime is doing.” she told LBC radio. Four British clubs (Manchester City, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United) are still in contention in the competition.
Polish Sports Minister Kamil Bortniczuk suggests sanctioning Russia by depriving it of the organization of the Champions League final, but also of the world volleyball championship which begins on August 26. “Sport is a very important vector of social emotions and if we sanctioned sport […] it would be, firstly, noticeable and, secondly, felt by Russian society, and such should be the role of sanctions, he told Polish nationalist site wPolityce. Withdrawing the volleyball world championship, withdrawing the right to the Champions League final or the organization of a play-off match will certainly be noticed by the Russians and associated with the fact that the policy pursued by their authorities does not meet the international acceptance.
UEFA monitors but tempers
The Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) has assured several European media that it “closely and continuously monitor the situation” and “every decision will be made in due time, if necessary”. According to the British press, the body is studying the possibility of relocating the final, as it was forced to do in the two previous editions, to Lisbon in 2020 and Porto in 2021, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
UEFA leaders might, however, wait for the evolution − and a possible escalation? − events in Ukraine to decide to move the final meeting of its flagship competition. Because Gazprom, a major player in the Russian gas industry, whose Saint Petersburg stadium bears the name, has also been the main sponsor of the competition since 2012. The company, which prides itself in its advertisements, which loop on the screens of international broadcasters, “to illuminate football”, renewed its partnership in May 2021.
At the time, UEFA described Gazprom as one of its “most reliable partners” and “a leader in his field”. And for good reason, the company would offer 40 million euros per season to UEFA to sponsor the Champions League, according to SportBusiness Sponsorship. Alexander Dyukov, a member of the UEFA executive committee alongside Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser al-Khelaïfi, is also the general manager of Gazprom Neft, Gazprom’s oil arm. In the event of war between Russia and Ukraine, he will not be the only one to be held accountable. If Germany announced on Tuesday the suspension of the authorization procedure for the new Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, which connects it to Russia, the Schalke 04 club still depends on a lucrative sponsorship contract with… Gazprom.
