The impact of Russia-Ukraine conflict was expected to be felt by the sporting fraternity and with the UEFA Champions League final being moved to Paris from St Petersburg, multiple sports events are now expected to be cancelled or hit majorly because of the political tension.
Russian Grand Prix cancelled
On February 25 (Friday), Russian Grand Prix became the latest tournament to be cancelled due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
"On Thursday evening Formula 1, the FIA, and the teams discussed the position of our sport, and the conclusion is, including the view of all relevant stakeholders, that it is impossible to hold the Russian Grand Prix in the current circumstances," read the Formula One statement.
Previously, four-time Formula One champion Sebastian Vettel had made his stand clear regarding his participation in Russian Grand Prix.
“My own opinion is I should not go. 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,” Vettel had explained.
Champions League final moved
On Thursday (February 25), UEFA announced that the final match of the Champions League will be moved to Stade de France in Paris. Originally, the final match of the Champions League was scheduled to be played in Saint Petersburg but due to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict it was decided that the final will no more be played in Russia.
Domestic football league suspended
The Ukrainian domestic football league was previously suspended because of the Russian invasion. Ukrainian football club Shakhtar Donetsk’s Italian coach Roberto De Zerbi spoke on the matter recently.
“We could have gone home as long as there was security but instead we waited. Last night the explosions woke us up. This morning they suspended the season,” De Zerbi was quoted while talking to Italpress.
Tournaments hit massively
In a situation like this World Cup football 2022 playoffs appear to be pretty uncertain as the Russian national football team will take on Poland in the playoffs in March. Ukraine, on the other hand, will face Scotland in the World Cup playoffs but only time will tell whether these two matches will be played at the original venues. A lot will depend on the Russia-Ukraine conflict and its ramifications.
A joint statement issued by football associations of Poland, Sweden and the Czech Republic demanded that next month’s World Cup playoffs should not be played in Russia.
“The signatories to this appeal do not consider travelling to Russia and playing football matches there,” the statement said.
Footballers taking stand
Manchester City’s Ukrainian defender Oleksandr Zinchenko had previously spoke on this matter and shared his message on Instagram.
“The whole civilised world is worried about the situation in my country. I can't stay away and try to convey my opinion. In the photo - my country. The country where I was born and raised. A country whose colours I defend in the international sports arena. A country that we try to glorify and develop. A country whose borders must remain inviolable.
"My country belongs to Ukrainians and no one will ever be able to appropriate it. We will not give up! Glory to Ukraine," Zinchenko had written.
Former Ukraine international footballer Andriy Shevchenko had also opened up on the matter as he wrote on Instagram, “In the early hours, a full-scale war was initiated by Russia. My people and my family are under attack. Ukraine and its population want peace and territorial integrity.
"Please, I ask you to support our country and call the Russian government to stop their aggression and violation of international law.
“We only want peace. War is not the answer," Shevchenko added.
Benfica’s Ukrainian striker Roman Yaremchuk had displayed an emblem in support of his homeland after scoring an equaliser against Ajax, in a Champions League match played on February 23. After scoring the goal Yaremchuk took his jersey off and revealed the emblem during his celebration.
German football club Schalke 04 previously announced that it will remove Russian corporation Gazprom’s logo from their official jersey.
But apart from football, multiple other events have been hit massively because of the Russian invasion.
Tennis event cancelled
In a major development, men’s tennis governing body had announced that next week’s ATP Challenger tournament which was originally expected to be played in Moscow, will not take place due to the concerns over player security and safety.
“The security of players will remain our top priority in assessing the scheduling of subsequent ATP Tour and ATP Challenger Tour events in the region. We continue to monitor the situation,” the ATP said in a statement to news agency Reuters.
On the other hand, the International Judo Federation (IJF) said it had cancelled its May 20-22 Grand Slam event in Kazan, Russia.
The International Chess Federation (FIDE) said that the Chess Olympiad and FIDE Congress will not take place in Moscow later this year.
On the other hand, Men’s Volleyball World Championship 2022 is scheduled to be played in Russia, in August. It is believed that the international volleyball organisation is currently monitoring the situation and the venue might be changed if it turns out to be impossible for the tournament to take place.
Euroleague Basketball which is comprised of multiple Russian teams also appear to be uncertain as a lot will depend on the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
