Russia reacts as UEFA moves Champions League final to Paris

Russia has expressed its regret after UEFA moved the final of this year’s Champions League from St Petersburg to Paris.

The game was initially scheduled to be played at the Gazprom Arena on May 28.

But following the invasion of Ukraine, Russia will no longer host the showpiece event.

It will instead take place at the Stade de France in Paris, France.

“It’s a pity, of course, that such a decision was made. But [the decision] has been made, so it is accepted,” Dmitry Peskov, the Press Secretary of the President of the Russian Federation, said.

When asked whether he considered UEFA’s decision to be politically motivated, the spokesman replied: “No, I didn’t say that. I just expressed regret.”

In addition to St Petersburg being stripped of host city status for the Champions League final, it has been decided that club and national teams competing in European competitions in both Russia and Ukraine will now be required to play at neutral venues.