Effect Of Russia-ukraine Conflict On Sports

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 it clear that
there will now be a change of venue.
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 have also qualified for the play-offs and their game
against Scotland is also scheduled to take place in March,
should FIFA not intervene.
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 play-offs.
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.