Jamie Stone calls for showpiece football event to be taken away from Russia after invasion of Ukraine
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Jamie Stone is calling for the Champions League final – the showpiece event in European club football – to be taken away from Russia following its invasion of neighbouring Ukraine.
Mr Stone, in his capacity as Liberal Democrat spokesperson for culture and sport, said it was important to take a stand against Russian president Vladimir Putin after he launched a military operation on Thursday.
"It is time to stand up to Putin in solidarity with the people of Ukraine," Mr Stone said as he tabled a parliamentary motion calling on the UK government to make representations to UEFA, European football's governing body, to relocate the 2022 Champions League final.
It is due to take place on May 28 at the Gazprom Arena in St Petersburg but Mr Stone has suggested Wembley Stadium in London as an alternative venue. It seems inevitable that the final will be taken away from St Petersburg in any case, with a decision expected at an emergency UEFA meeting on Friday.
The parliamentary motion came after Mr Stone wrote to the UK culture and sport secretary Nadine Dorries asking her to lobby UEFA to strip Russia of the privilege of hosting the match.
Mr Stone is also pressing the government to light up the stadium in the colours of the Ukrainian flag if the final is awarded to Wembley.
Four English clubs are involved in the latter stages of the competition.
The MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross said: “Moving the Champions League final out of St Petersburg would hit Putin and his cronies where it hurts the most – in their pockets and in their pride. We need to send a clear signal to Russia that they cannot strongarm their neighbours and hope to sportswash their actions.
"It is time to stand up to Putin in solidarity with the people of Ukraine.
“Wembley would be the perfect replacement as an illustrious venue for an illustrious event. My party is calling on the government to ‘get Wembley ready’ without delay and make the case to bring the Champions League showpiece back to the home of football.”
There could also be implications for Scotland's World Cup play-off semi-final at home to Ukraine on March 24.
