FAI in talks with UEFA over summer fixture in Ukraine

The FAI will remain in dialogue with the Irish government, UEFA and the Ukraine Association of Football in the aftermath of Russia invading their neighbouring country overnight.

Ireland are due to play Ukraine in the UEFA Nations League in Lviv on 14 June.

That game is likely to be moved to a neutral venue, while the FAI has said they will welcome Ukraine to the Aviva Stadium for the opening fixture of the group on 4 June.

UEFA also announced that it has called an extraordinary meeting of its Executive Committee for Friday at 9am Irish time to “evaluate the situation and take all necessary decisions”.

The FAI say they are awaiting the outcome meeting.

Meanwhile contingency plans are being drawn up by UEFA over where to host this season’s Champions League final.

The 68,000-capacity Gazprom Arena in St Petersburg had been awarded the chance to host Europe’s showpiece event but events overnight look likely to force a change of venue.

Russia president Vladimir Putin instructed an attack on Ukraine with explosions heard in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv while blasts were also reported in the cities of Odessa and Kharkiv.

UEFA is monitoring the situation with the Russian city set to be stripped of hosting the final, which is scheduled to take place on 28 May.

After changing the venue for the final for the 2020 and 2021 editions due to the coronavirus pandemic, European football’s governing body could be forced into a further switch but may wait until the latter stages of the competition to see which sides remain in the tournament.

On Tuesday, Irish Minister for European Affairs Thomas Byrne said that Russia could not be allowed host this year’s Champions League final in the circumstances.

“Russia cannot be allowed to host the Champions League final this year. I fully support calls to move the final from St Petersburg,” Byrne tweeted.

UEFA today contacted broadcasters to assure them contingency plans are already being drawn up.

“We acknowledge your concerns regarding the current situation between Russia and Ukraine and its potential impact on the UEFA Champions League Final scheduled in St Petersburg on 28 May 2022.

“UEFA is constantly and closely monitoring the situation and in regular contact with several international organisations, embassies and governments in order to correctly assess the matter and follow recommendations issued by such entities, such as travel restrictions for instance.

“While UEFA is already looking into contingency plans, please note that any decision to move the game will be made in due course if necessary.

“We are fully understanding of the need for swift and clear communication with you and we will continue to keep you updated when further information is available.”.

Bundesliga club Schalke released a statement saying they were removing the logo of sponsor Gazprom from their jerseys. The majority state-owned energy company is also a primary UEFA partner.

“Following recent developments, FC Schalke 04 have decided to remove the logo of main sponsor GAZPROM from the club’s shirts. It will be replaced by lettering reading ‘Schalke 04’ instead.”

If another all-English final was to occur, like last year’s between Chelsea and Manchester City, there would be pressure to host it in the UK but two major stadiums are already out of bounds.

@lisafallonsport and Kevin Doyle on the prospect of moving the Champions League final from St Petersburg, with both agreeing the current situation is very fluid and that if UEFA had to move it, that would not present a difficult situation #rtesoccer #rtenews pic.twitter.com/GmRf4m7Tgl

— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) February 22, 2022

Wembley is set to host the Sky Bet Championship play-off final on 28 May while the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is primed to host rugby league’s Betfred Challenge Cup Final on the same day.

It may open the door to another venue, West Ham’s London Stadium, which would have space in its summer schedule.

London Stadium chief executive Graham Gilmore told The Daily Telegraph: “We have a great history of putting on world-class events from Major League Baseball to sold-out concerts and of course Premier League matches.

“We are always happy to hear from event holders, and there is a clear track record of the stadium and London hosting the biggest events brilliantly.”

Holders Chelsea, owned by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United are all in the last 16 of the Champions League.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson earlier this week told the House of Commons: “A Russia that has pariah status – no chance of holding football tournaments in a Russia that invades sovereign countries.”

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