Boris Johnson: Strip Russia of Champions League final

UK prime minister Boris Johnson says Russia should be stripped of hosting this season's Champions League final in St Petersburg. Four English sides - Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City and Manchester United - are in the last 16 of the competition, with the final due to be played in Russia on May 28. UEFA currently has "no plans" to change the venue from the 68,000-capacity Gazprom Arena, but says it will continue to monitor the growing Ukraine-Russia crisis. Johnson, however, has made his mind up over the choice of venue by saying Russia's "pariah status" following the "renewed invasion" of Ukraine bars them from holding football games on the international stage. Speaking after announcing new sanctions on Russian banks and wealthy individuals, Johnson told the House of Commons: "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. "A Russia that is engaged in a bloody and debilitating conflict with a fellow Slav country. What an appalling result for President Putin. "I hope that he steps back from the brink and does not conduct a full invasion."

UEFA has recent experience of changing the venue of Champions League finals as the last two showpiece editions were relocated to Portugal because of Covid-19. Keeping the final on May 28 is likely to rule Wembley out as a host, as the League Two and Championship play-off finals are set to be played at the stadium over that weekend. A statement from European football's governing body read: "UEFA is constantly and closely monitoring the situation. At present, there are no plans to change the venue. "UEFA is in close contact with the national associations and clubs concerned. At