Russia invades Ukraine sports fallout: Champions League final will be moved from Saint Petersburg, Russian Grand Prix in jeopardy

The UEFA Champions League is in the midst of its Round of 16 with the final scheduled May 28 from Krestovsky Stadium, a host venue for the 2018 World Cup, in Saint Petersburg, Russia. However, UEFA is going to move the final in the midst of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, although to where is not yet certain. In addition, the Formula 1 Russian Grand Prix set for Sept. 25 is in major jeopardy and some drivers already have said they will boycott if the race is held there.

Krestovsky Stadium was originally to host Champions League final in 2021 before it was eventually moved to Porto due to the COVID-19 pandemic and scheduling disruptions. Saint Petersburg is the home city of Russian oil company Gazprom, which is a significant UEFA sponsor. The 2022 edition was to be the second final to be staged in Russia. The first, between Manchester United and Chelsea at Moscow's Luzhniki Stadium in 2008, ended in a penalty shootout won by Man U.

An official decision from UEFA will come early Friday morning Eastern time. With four English clubs in the last 16 (Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool and reigning champion Chelsea), Wembley Stadium in London would have made sense for the new venue, but apparently that's not an option with the Championship Playoff Final scheduled for Wembley on May 28. Wembley last hosted the Champions League final in 2013 and is set to again in 2024. Manchester City is the current +225 favorite at Caesars Sportsbook to win the Champions League.

Russia is also scheduled host Poland in UEFA's final stage of World Cup qualification on March 24. The current situation could also affect Sweden or Czech Republic, who may face Russia in Moscow in the playoff final. The football associations of all three countries say they will not travel to Russia.

A joint statement said: "Based on the current alarming development in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine including the security situation the Football Associations of Poland (PZPN), Sweden (SvFF) and Czech Republic (FAR) express their firm position that the playoff matches to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, scheduled for 24 and 29 March 2022, should not be played in the territory of the Russian Federation. The signatories to this appeal do not consider travelling to Russia and playing football matches there."

As for the Russian Grand Prix to be held at the Sochi Autodrom, Formula One released a statement: "F1 is closely watching the very fluid developments like many others and at this time has no further comment on the race scheduled for September. We will continue to monitor the situation very closely."

Reigning F1 champion Max Verstappen and four-time champion Sebastian Vettel already have said they wouldn't race in Russia. Formula 1 team bosses are set to meet with the sport's CEO Stefano Domenicali. F1 teams currently are conducting preseason testing in Barcelona and the season begins March 20 in Bahrain.

"For myself, my opinion is I should not go, I will not go. I'm just really shocked and sad to see what's going on. We will see going forward, but I think my decision is already made," Vettel said.

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