Call for Russia to be stripped of hosting Champions League final amidst Ukraine crisis

There is “no chance” of football tournaments being held in a Russia that invades sovereign countries, Boris Johnson has insisted.

It comes amid Russian president Vladimir Putin ordering troops into two rebel-held regions in eastern Ukraine.

In the House of Commons on Tuesday, Johnson announced sanctions against five Russian banks and three billionaire allies of Putin.

There are calls for Russia to now be stripped of hosting this season’s UEFA Champions League final.

The match is due to be played at the 68,000-capacity Gazprom Arena in St Petersburg on May 28.

Responding to concerns over the hosting of the final, Johnson urged Putin once again to “step back from the brink” and to not conduct a full invasion of Ukraine.

“It’s absolutely vital in this critical moment that President Putin understands that what he is doing is going to be a disaster for Russia,” the Prime Minister told MPs.

“And it is clear from the response of the world to what he has done already in Donbas that he is going to end up with a Russia that is poorer as a result of the sanctions that the world will implement.

“A Russia that is more isolated, a Russia that has pariah status – no chance of holding football tournaments in a Russia that invades sovereign countries.

“A Russia that is engaged in a bloody and debilitating conflict with a fellow Slav country. What an appalling result for President Putin.

“I hope that he steps back from the brink and does not conduct a full invasion.”