The sports world, also alarmed, prepares its response to the Russian attack on Ukraine, this Thursday, threatening the suspension of several events linked to the two countriesstarting at the end of the Champions League football, scheduled for St. Petersburg at the end of May, which could be moved elsewhere.
The UEFA, which “firmly condemned the military invasion” Russia this Thursday, decided to meet urgently on Friday (4:00 in Ecuador) its executive committee.
Its members could decide changes to the schedule for the coming monthseven take sanctions against Moscowin line with the international community.
At the top of the pyramid of sporting events in Russia is the Champions League final on May 28 in St. Petersburgwhose stadium is named after the gas giant Gazprom, one of UEFA’s main sponsors since 2012.
“No decision has been taken” by UEFA at the moment, but the European confederation “works on different options” to relocate the party, explained to the AFP a nearby source.
Moscow also plans to host on March 24 the semifinal of a playoff of the 2022 World Cup between Russia and Polandand perhaps the final against Sweden or the Czech Republic if the Sbornaïa defeat Robert Lewandowski’s team.
In a joint statement, the Football federations in Poland, the Czech Republic and Sweden have requested that it not be played in Russia.
In addition to the Champions League final, the Polish Ministry of Sports, also suggested the withdrawal to Russia of the organization of the men’s volleyball World Cupwhich begins on August 26.
For its part, the German football club Schalke (second division) decided to remove the name and logo of the Russian gas company Gazprom from its t-shirts, your main sponsor.
Mit Blick auf die Ereignisse, Entwicklung und Zuspitzung der vergangenen Tage: #S04 nimmt GAZPROM-Schriftzug von Trikots.
— FC Schalke 04 (@s04) February 24, 2022
The match Betis-Zenit of the Europa League football remained as planned this Thursday. Zenit is owned by Gazprom.
The FC Barcelona basketball team canceled its trip to St. Petersburgwhere he was scheduled to play a Euroleague game against Zenit on Friday.
The world champions of Formula 1, Max Verstappen and Sebastian Vettel are also not seen participating in the Russian GP in September.
Latest: Here’s what we know about Russia’s attack on Ukraine
Playing in Ukraine seems even more complicated. The European Federation of Handball (EHF) decided to relocate or postpone matches which were to be played on Ukrainian soil for the next four weeks.
The explosion of the conflict led this Thursday to the Ukrainian football league to suspend the championship which was to resume this Friday after more than two months of hiatus due to the local winter.
‘Not to the war’
Various foreign players and coaches were alarmed by the situation, with the dilemma of leaving the territory or remain loyal to their clubs.
“We are in a hotel due to this whole situation. (…) We ask for the support of the Brazilian government, which can help us, and you so that this video reaches the largest possible number of viewers”, said defender Marlon, 26, one of the thirteen Brazilian players of Shakhtar Donetsk , frequent participant in the European Champions League.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) accused Moscow on Thursday of violating the Olympic truce. when invading Ukraine, and announced his willingness to offer humanitarian assistance to Ukrainian athletes. The Beijing Winter Paralympics are held from March 4 to 13 and the Olympic Games ended on Sunday.
Russia says it destroyed 74 military installations in Ukraine, including 11 airfields
“IOC President Thomas Bach reiterates today his call for peace launched in the speeches he delivered at the opening and closing ceremonies of the Olympic Games,” the IOC said in its statement.
Outside the country, several ukrainian footballers took positionlike Benfica striker Roman Yaremchuk or Manchester City defender Oleksandr Zinchenko.
“Glory to Ukraine,” tennis player Elena Svitolina wrote on Instagram.
international footballer Russian Fedor Smolov wrote “No to war”next to a Ukrainian flag and a broken heart.
ANDTennis player Andrey Rublev advocated “peace” after his victory in the quarterfinals of the Dubai Tournament, which “has no importance” in view of the “terrible context”. (D)
Source: Eluniverso
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