UEFA STRIPS RUSSIAN CITY KAZAN OF HOSTING SUPER CUP GAME

Because of the country’s ongoing conflict in Ukraine, UEFA revoked Russia’s hosting rights for the season-opening Super Cup game in August on Wednesday.

Kazan, which hosted the 2018 World Cup, was set to host the opening game between the winners of this season’s Champions League and Europa League.

It will now be played on August 16 in Athens at the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium, home of Olympiakos, according to UEFA after an executive committee meeting.

Despite taking the 2022 Champions League final from St. Petersburg within days of Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine last February, UEFA had not moved the Super Cup from Russia.

Since February 28, Russian teams have been barred from competing in UEFA and FIFA competitions, and the International Olympic Committee has also advised sports governing bodies not to allow Russia to host events.