"It is absolutely vital at this critical time that President Putin understands that what he is doing will be a disaster for Russia," Boris Johnson said after announcing sanctions against Russian banks and oligarchs in parliament.

"And it's clear, given the world's response to what he's already done in Donbass (eastern Ukraine, editor's note), that he's going to end up with a poorer Russia because of the sanctions that the world will implement,” he added.

"A more isolated Russia, a Russia with pariah status," he added.

“No chance of holding football tournaments in a Russia that is invading sovereign countries,” he continued, saying he hopes Vladimir Putin “steps back from the precipice” and does not carry out a “total invasion” of Ukraine. .

Russia, host country of the 2018 World Cup, is to host the Champions League final on May 28 in Saint Petersburg.

Spanish players celebrate their victory on penalties over Switzerland in the Euro quarter-finals on July 2, 2021 in Saint Petersburg, Russia Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV POOL/AFP/Archives

The Gazprom Arena hosted several Euro matches played last summer, including a quarter-final.

British Minister for Sport and Culture Nadine Dorries said on Twitter that she had "deep concerns" about the organization of sporting events in Russia, citing in particular the Champions League final.

"We will not allow President Putin to exploit events in the international arena to legitimize his illegal invasion of Ukraine," she added, adding that she would speak with the "relevant governing bodies". .

Boris Johnson's spokesperson had previously indicated on Tuesday that the organization of this final fell within the competence of UEFA.

The European Football Confederation has not yet responded to AFP's requests.

UEFA had to relocate the last two Champions League finals, to Lisbon in 2020 and then to Porto in 2021, due to the pandemic which prevented the match from being played in Istanbul, as originally planned for those two years.

Four of the last six C1 finalists have been English clubs, including Chelsea, crowned in 2021, and Liverpool, champion two years earlier.

© 2022 AFP