From football to F1, Russia stands to lose after invasion of Ukraine

Russia's invasion of Ukraine was widely condemned by the sporting community on Thursday, with President Vladimir Putin's country set to lose hosting rights for the Champions League final while Formula One drivers said it was "wrong" to race there this year.

Russia launched an all-out invasion of Ukraine by land, sea and air on Thursday, sparking immediate sporting ramifications.

The Champions League final is scheduled to be held in St Petersburg in May but sources have told Reuters that European soccer governing body UEFA are set to move the match to another venue. UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has called an extraordinary meeting of the Executive Committee on Friday when the issue will be discussed.

The showcase match in European club football was set to be held at Zenit St Petersburg's stadium - known as the Gazprom Arena after a sponsorship deal with Russia's state energy company, which also sponsors the Champions League.

German soccer club Schalke 04 have had a 15-year partnership with Gazprom but said it was removing the firm's logo from their jersey while Matthias Warnig, the chief executive of Nord Stream 2 AG, vacated his position on the club's board of directors. Nord Stream 2 AG are owned by Gazprom.

Athletes from a number of sports also voiced their concerns about travelling to Russia.

Four-times Formula One champion Sebastian Vettel said he will not race at September's grand prix in Sochi, adding it was "wrong" to race in Russia. Reigning champion Max Verstappen agreed with him.

"My own opinion is I should not go," Vettel said. "I'm sorry for the innocent people that are losing their lives, that are getting killed for stupid reasons and a very, very strange and mad leadership."

The sport's governing body, like