Will 2021-22 Champions League final still be played in St Petersburg & what would Russia invasion of Ukraine mean for match venue?

What would the potential invasion of Ukraine mean for the 2021-22 Champions League final in Russia? GOAL is here to bring you everything you need to know.

The last time Russia staged the European showpiece was back in 2008, when Manchester United lifted the trophy following a penalty shootout victory at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow. 

The transcontinental country have been given hosting rights again for this season's final, but it has been reported that the venue could yet be changed due to political tension.

The 2021-22 Champions League final is due to be staged at the Gazprom Arena in St Petersburg, which is the home ground of Russian giants Zenit.

The match will take place in the northern Russian city, which also played host to games at the 2018 FIFA World Cup and 2020 UEFA European Championship, on May 28.

It has been suggested that Russia will not be allowed to stage the Champions League final amid the threat of war with Ukraine.

According to U.S estimates, Russia has stationed 150,000 troops along Ukraine's borders over the last few months on the orders of President Vladimir Putin.

The situation escalated on February 22 as Putin announced the recognition of Luhansk and Donetsk as independent states and moved soldiers into the two rebel-held regions.

UK Health Secretary Sajid Javid announced the following morning that Russia's invasion of Ukraine had begun.

"We are waking up to a very dark day in Europe," Javid said on Sky News. "We’ve seen that he’s [Putin] recognised these breakaway eastern regions in Ukraine and we can already tell he’s sent in tanks and troops, so I think from that you can conclude that the invasion of Ukraine has begun.”

The British media has reported that Russia will likely have no choice but