UNDATED (AP) — Paris will be hosting soccer’s Champions League final on May 28.
The Union of European Football Associations announced on Friday, one day after saying it was moving the game from St. Petersburg following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. It also decided that Russian and Ukrainian clubs and national teams in UEFA competitions will have to play at neutral venues until further notice.
In other moves influenced by the Russian attack:
— The International Olympic Committee is urging sports bodies to cancel or move all events they plan to hold in Russia and Belarus and stop using the countries’ flags and national anthems. Volleyball and shooting both have world championships scheduled to be held in Russia. There is also a World Cup qualifying playoff match against Poland scheduled for March 24 in Moscow.
— Russian-born Alex Ovechkin (oh-VECH’-kin) has made a plea for peace while talking with reporters after the Washington Capitals left wing practice in Philadelphia. The Moscow native said he has family and “lots of friends in Russia and Ukraine” and hopes the attack will end soon. Ovechkin has been a vocal supporter of Russia President Vladimir Putin. In 2017, Ovechkin launched the “Putin team” he said was not related to the election the following year but rather a show of support for his country.
— Formula One says it won’t hold a race in Russia this year. The Russian Grand Prix had been scheduled for Sochi on Sept. 25.
— The International Ski Federation announced Russia will not host any more of its World Cup events this winter.
— The European curling championships scheduled to be held in November in Perm, Russia, will be relocated.
— The International Tennis Federation canceled all events taking place in Russia indefinitely. The Dubai Championships on Friday saw Russian player Andrey Rublev write “No War Please” on a TV camera moments after winning a match.
