United Kingdom wants Gazprom-backed Champions League final out of Russia

LONDON — UEFA faced calls from the British government to strip Russia of hosting the Champions League final over concerns it would legitimize what it called an “illegal invasion” of Ukraine, prompting European football’s governing body to say Tuesday it would reconsider St. Petersburg staging the showpiece match.

The biggest game in the European season is scheduled for May 28 at the Gazprom Arena, which is named after the state-owned energy giant that has sponsored the men’s competition for a decade.

Gazprom is also embedded in the decision-making at UEFA, with Alexander Dyukov, the chief executive of an oil subsidiary company, sitting on UEFA’S ruling executive committee.

UEFA has acknowledged for the first time a risk to Russia staging the final following talks among the senior leadership about the crisis.

“UEFA is constantly and closely monitoring the situation,” the Champions League organizer said in a statement, “and any decision would be made in due course if necessary.”

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson highlighted concerns about Russia using sports to enhance its status while urging

President Vladimir Putin not to carry out a full invasion of Ukraine.

“He is going to end up with ... a Russia that is more isolated, a Russia that has pariah status, no chance of holding football tournaments in a Russia that invades sovereign countries,” Johnson told the House of Commons.

Russia sparked an outcry by announcing on Monday that its recognition of independence for areas in eastern Ukraine extended to territory currently held by Ukrainian forces and troops were then authorized to be sent to the separatist regions.

With four representatives in the round of 16 of the Champions League, England has the most teams remaining in the competition.

Oleksandr Zinchenko, a Ukrainian who plays for Manchester City, issued a plea on Instagram for his country’s territorial sovereignty to be protected.

As United States forward Christian Pulisic celebrated scoring for Chelsea against Lille in a last-16 game on Tuesday, Gazprom advertisements flashed on the electronic boards at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea is owned by Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich, whom Johnson wrongly stated in the House of Commons was facing sanctions from the government.