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The 2022 Champions League final between Liverpool and Real Madrid will be played out at Paris’ Stade de France on Saturday, May 28.
Built to stage games at the 1998 World Cup, the Stade de France was also the venue for the 2000 and 2006 Champions League finals, as well as the Euro 2016 showpiece, while rugby fans will be familiar with the ground as it is the home of the men’s French rugby team.
The 2021/22 Champions League final had been due to take place in St Petersburg, Russia. However, it was announced in February 2022 that the final would move to Paris in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The UEFA executive committee held an emergency meeting and decided to move the showpiece to the Stade de France from the 68,000-capacity Gazprom Arena in Vladimir Putin’s home city.
Following UEFA’s move, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on a conference call: “It’s a shame that such a decision has been made. St Petersburg could have provided all favourable conditions to hold this festival of soccer.”
UK Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries backed the UEFA decision and said “Russia must not be allowed to exploit sporting and cultural events on the world stage to legitimise” its actions.
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