Russia-Ukraine Crisis Impact On Football: Live News Updates On Champions League, World Cup, Roman Abramovich And More – The Athletic

FIFA’s president Gianni Infantino has addressed the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Russia are scheduled to host Czech Republic in a World Cup play-off semi-final on March 24, while Ukraine are due to travel to Scotland.

“Violence is never a solution and we call on all parties to restore peace through constructive dialogue. FIFA continues to express solidarity to people affected,” Infantino said.

“Football is not the priority but FIFA has a duty to look at the consequences to look at what is happening. We continue to monitor the situation. We will update on the World Cup qualifiers soon. We can take decisions immediately as soon as its needed.”

(Photo: Getty Images)

Luke Bosher·

Junior Editor, News

The Russian airline, who has been a Manchester United partner since 2013, has been included in Boris Johnson’s latest sanctions.

For more on Johnson’s comments and United’s relationship with Aeroflot, click here.

Luke Bosher·

Junior Editor, News

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced a new wave of sanctions against Russia, with Manchester United partner Aeroflot banned from operating in the country.

The Russian airline, who have been partnered with United since 2013, have been banned from landing in the UK.

For more detail on United’s relationship with Aeroflot, click here.

(Photo: John Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)

Luke Bosher·

Junior Editor, News

Roberto De Zerbi, the head coach of Shakhtar Donetsk, has spoken about the situation in Ukraine.

“I am staying in my room. Today is not a good day,” De Zerbi told Sportitalia (via footballitalia).

“I’ve been waiting for the federation to suspend the season until this happened. However, I didn’t move. I am here to do sport and I could not turn my back on the fans.

“There are 13 Brazilian players here and my staff. We could have returned home, but we preferred to wait. Last night we woke up to the noise of explosions.”

Ukraine and neighbouring areas have closed their airspace, meaning civilians cannot leave the country by plane.

“There are no heroes here, but our job puts us in front of responsibilities. We were supposed to play on Saturday, so I could not run away,” he continued.

“It’s something difficult to explain to our loved ones who have texted us, asking us to return. At this point, we hope that the Government and the embassy will help us. I am optimistic and If I could go back in time, I’d make the same choice.”

(Photo: Piero Cruciatti/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)

Luke Bosher·

Junior Editor, News

It’s expected that tomorrow’s UEFA meeting will see the men’s Champions League final taken away from Saint Petersburg.

And it’s understood that UEFA will also discuss Russia’s participation in the Women’s European Championship this summer.

Russia have been drawn in a group with the Netherlands, Sweden and Switzerland for the tournament, which will take place in England in June and July.

(Photo: Jose Breton/Pics Action/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Luke Bosher·

Junior Editor, News

Portuguese football manager Paulo Fonseca has given an update from his residence in Kyiv.

“My family and I are going through a very tough time,” he says. “In the middle of an unacceptable war.”

“However, we believe peace will eventually prevail.”

Fonseca managed Shakhtar Donetsk between 2016 and 2019, where he met his wife.

Luke Bosher·

Junior Editor, News

I would like to thank everyone who has sent messages of care and support to my family and I. We are in Kyiv and doing our best to stay strong during this very tough moment for Ukraine. pic.twitter.com/HbKFCsSoW5

— Paulo Fonseca (@PFonsecaCoach) February 24, 2022

UEFA has confirmed that all its scheduled fixtures will take place tonight.

That includes Zenit Saint Petersburg’s trip to Real Betis for their Europa League play-off second leg.

The first leg took place last week in Saint Petersburg with Betis coming away with a 3-2 victory.

(Photo: Mike Kireev/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Luke Bosher·

Junior Editor, News

The football associations of Poland, Sweden, and Czech Republic have written a joint letter to FIFA and UEFA expressing their refusal to travel to Russia for the 2022 World Cup play-offs.

Poland are scheduled to play Russia in Moscow on March 24. If Russia win, they would then host one of Sweden or Czech Republic on March 29.

The letter reads: “Based the current alarming development in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine including the security situation, the Football Associations of Poland, Sweden, and Czech Republic express their firm position that the play-off matches to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, scheduled for 24 and 29 March 2022, should not be played in the territory of the Russian Federation.

“The signatories do not consider travelling to Russia and playing football matches there. The military escalation that we are observing entails serious consequences and considerably lower safety for our national football teams and official delegations.

“Therefore, we expect FIFA and UEFA to react immediately and to present alternative solutions regarding places where these approaching play-off matches could be played.”

Jacob Whitehead

The Bundesliga club are among several to show support for Ukraine today after the continued military escalation in and around the country.

“BVB strongly condemns this blatant violation of international law!” Dortmund said.

“Our thoughts are with the people in the Ukraine.”

Luke Bosher·

Junior Editor, News

Wir sind erschüttert und betroffen, dass auf europäischem Boden ein Krieg ausgebrochen ist. Der BVB verurteilt diesen eklatanten Verstoß gegen das Völkerrecht auf das Schärfste! Unsere Gedanken sind bei den Menschen in der #Ukraine.

— Borussia Dortmund (@BVB) February 24, 2022

German club Schalke has removed its sponsor Gazprom from the front of its kits after the “escalation” of the military situation in Ukraine.

Gazprom is a state-owned Russian energy company, which has sponsored Schalke since 2007.

Schalke will replace the Gazprom logo with the club’s own name instead.

In a statement on Thursday, Schalke said: “In view of the events, development and escalation of the past few days, FC Schalke 04 has decided to remove the lettering of its main sponsor — ‘GAZPROM’ — from the jerseys.

“This step follows discussions with GAZPROM Germany. Instead, ‘Schalke 04’ will be on the chest of the Royal Blues.”

Gazprom’s logo is also visible at Schalke’s training ground and their Veltins Arena stadium.

Gazprom is also a principal sponsor of the UEFA Champions League. The European Parliament said earlier on Thursday that UEFA should end its partnership with Gazprom.

Luke Bosher·

Junior Editor, News

“UEFA shares the international community’s significant concern for the security situation developing in Europe and strongly condemns the ongoing Russian military invasion in Ukraine,” UEFA said in a statement.

“We remain resolute in our solidarity with the football community in Ukraine and stand ready to extend our hand to the Ukrainian people.

“We are dealing with this situation with the utmost seriousness and urgency. Decisions will be taken by the UEFA Executive Committee and announced tomorrow.”

Full story here.

Jacob Whitehead

England and Manchester City defender Steph Houghton has undergone surgery on an Achilles injury.

Houghton, 33, initially damaged the tendon during England’s 8-0 win over North Macedonia in September.

She returned to action in January, but made only five appearances before reaggravating the injury.

Click here to read the full story.

Anthony Hay·

EPL Staff Editor

Jacob Whitehead

Jacob Whitehead

Arsenal will not hold contract talks with striker Alexandre Lacazette until the end of the season.

Lacazette, who has captained the club after former team-mate Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was stripped of the armband in December, is due to be out of contract in the summer.

The 30-year-old has been able to hold talks with overseas clubs since January but Mikel Arteta remains hopeful he can keep the Frenchman at the Emirates Stadium.

Click here for the full story.

(Photo: James Williamson – AMA/Getty Images)

Anthony Hay·

EPL Staff Editor

Derek Adams, who Mark Hughes has replaced at Bradford, has returned to League One Morecambe.

Adams previously managed Morecambe from November 2019 to June 2021.

Anthony Hay·

EPL Staff Editor

Morecambe Football Club is delighted to announce the return of Derek Adams as our new first-team manager.#UTS ?

— Morecambe FC (@ShrimpsOfficial) February 24, 2022

The president of the Swedish Football Association, Karl-Erik Nilsson, believes it is “almost unthinkable” that his country would play a World Cup play-off final in Moscow, given Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on Thursday.

The military crisis significantly escalated from Wednesday, as Russian president Vladimir Putin sent troops into eastern Ukrainian territory.

Sweden are due to take on the Czech Republic in a World Cup play-off semi-final on March 24, before then facing a trip to the winner of Russia’s semi-final against Poland on March 29.

Click here to read the full story.

(Photo: Foto Olimpik/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Anthony Hay·

EPL Staff Editor

European lawmakers have asked UEFA to move this season’s Champions League final away from Russia and to stop considering Russian cities for international football events.

The group of politicians have also called on UEFA to sever ties with Russian state energy company Gazprom, which sponsors the Champions League, after Vladimir Putin unleashed a military attack on Ukraine in the early hours of Thursday morning.

A letter sent to UEFA from a group of politicians in the European parliament said: “We call on you to stop considering Saint Petersburg and other Russian cities as venues for international football competitions and to choose as a first and very urgent step an alternative venue for the Champions League final on May 28, 2022.”

Click here for the full story.

(Photo: Oscar J. Barroso/Europa Press via Getty Images)

Anthony Hay·

EPL Staff Editor

Peterborough, who are 23rd in the Championship, have named former boss Grant McCann as their new manager.

McCann returns to the club for his third spell in the managerial hot seat following his sacking by Championship rivals Hull City in January.

He replaces Darren Ferguson, who himself had three spells in charge of Peterborough.

Anthony Hay·

EPL Staff Editor

? We are delighted to confirm Grant McCann as the club’s new first team manager.

Grant will be assisted by Cliff Byrne, a former team-mate at Scunthorpe United and long-term number two of the Northern Irishman.#pufc

— Peterborough United (@theposh) February 24, 2022

Mark Hughes has been named the new manager of League Two side Bradford City until summer 2024.

Hughes, 58, returns to club management for the first time since his sacking from Southampton in December 2018.

The former Wales and Manchester City manager takes over a side that are 15th in League Two.

Click here for the full story.

Anthony Hay·

EPL Staff Editor