The conflict between Russia and Ukraine is understandably expected to have an impact on sports after Russian president Vladimir Putin announced a military operation against the neighbouring country.
Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelenskiy signed a decree to impose martial law in the country, with the domestic football league being officially suspended. This means that teams such as Dynamo Kyiv and Shakhtar Donetsk will not be able to play for a minimum of 30 days.
Meanwhile, Russia was set to host the Champions League final in Saint Petersburg, but UEFA have made clear that there will now be a change of venue.
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The Russian national team will face Poland in the 2022 World Cup play-offs in March, but the visitors have already asked not to play on Russian soil. Ukraine has also qualified for the play-offs and their game against Scotland is also scheduled to take place in March, should FIFA not intervene.
The EuroLeague teams
Russian sides CSKA Moscow, UNICS Kazan and Zenit Saint Petersburg are in the top eight of the EuroLeague standings and they are considered amongst the favourites to make the playoffs.
However, there are players such as Barcelona’s Alex Abrines who “would prefer not to travel” to Russia for his team’s two upcoming games against CSKA and Zenit.
The EuroLeague are not willing to suspend any games, but American players such as Nigel Hayes-Davis and Brandon Davies do not know whether they will be allowed to enter Russian territory.
F1 and volleyball
Russia will also host the Men’s Volleyball World Championship, which would take place in Saint Petersburg, Moscow, Novosibirsk, Ufa, Yekaterinburg, Krasnoyarsk, Kaliningrad, Kazan and Yaroslavl.
The international volley federation is currently monitoring the situation and they have pointed out they will change the venue only if it is impossible for the tournament to go ahead in Russia.
Meanwhile, Sochi will host this season’s Russian Grand Prix, but there are still no tickets on sale for the race, while Aston Martin driver Sebastian Vettel has announced that he will not take part in the race in protest. (Marca)
