Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine is set to cost St Petersburg the hosting rights of the UEFA Champions League final match.
Other sports federations and athletes are also weighing their options.
According to sources on Thursday, European football ruling body UEFA will take the Champions League final away from St Petersburg at an emergency meeting on Friday.
But a new host is unlikely to be named.
“UEFA shares the international community’s significant concern for the security situation developing in Europe and strongly condemns the ongoing Russian military invasion in Ukraine,” it said in a second statement on the day.
“We remain resolute in our solidarity with the football community in Ukraine and stand ready to extend our hand to the Ukrainian people.
“We are dealing with this situation with the utmost seriousness and urgency. Decisions will be taken by the UEFA Executive Committee and announced tomorrow (Friday).”
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) on its part said it “strongly condemns” the invasion and breach of the current Olympic Truce for the Beijing Olympics and Paralympics by Russia.
