The ever spiralling crisis in the Ukraine has meant that the venue for this season's UEFA Champions League final will be moved, but to where? European Football's governing body is assessing the situation before making a final decision but it is set to be looking for a new venue at short notice for the third year running. The past two Champions League finals were played in Portugal because of Covid-19 related issues.
The game is still scheduled to be played on Saturday the 28th of May, which rules 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. Other venues in the British capital are being considered as part of "a comprehensive package of sanctions against Russia" to be imposed.
"Hosting games should be a privilege not a right, we consider the final should be taken away from St Petersburg and London stands ready to host the Final," said one spokesperson. UEFA has already postponed the Youth League last 16 tie between Dynamo Kyiv and Sporting Lisbon which was scheduled to be played in the Ukraine capital on the 2nd of March.
London Mayor 'Sadist' Khan was quick to rubber stamp the venue being switched to London in the firm belief that the final would be held at his club Tottingham's brand spanking new stadium, unfortunately he didn't realise that Guns N' Roses are scheduled to play a gig there on Saturday the 28th of May!
Arsenal's Emirates stadium has also been put forward as an alternative venue, but the transport links are considered to be incompatible for fans travelling from across Europe. Of course the final may well feature TWO English teams, as it did last year, so travel will not be such a major issue.
For London venues that leaves just the London Stadium, warts and all! The Stadium might not be entirely fit for purpose, but it DOES have superb transport and infrastructure links, arguably the best in the country. Hosting the Champions League final at Stratford would be a way of 'rubber stamping' the Stadium for future use, ALL extra revenue should be given straight back to the tax payer as well! - Ed
