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- Russia invaded Ukraine on Thursday, Feb. 24.
PARIS: Paris will host this season鈥檚 Champions League final after Saint Petersburg was stripped of the match due to Russia鈥檚 military invasion of Ukraine, UEFA announced on Friday.
The showpiece occasion of the European club season will be played at the Stade de France on Saturday, May 28, European football鈥檚 governing body said.
UEFA also announced that Russian and Ukrainian clubs and national teams competing in international competitions must play home matches at neutral venues 鈥渦ntil further notice.鈥�
The Kremlin later responded to Friday鈥檚 announcement, saying it was a pity Russia鈥檚 second city Saint Petersburg had been stripped of the right to hold the UEFA Champions League final.
鈥淚t is a shame that such a decision was made,鈥� Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. 鈥淪aint Petersburg could have provided the best possible conditions for holding this football event.鈥�