Russia invaded Ukraine on Thursday, Feb. 24. PARIS: Paris will host this season’s Champions League final after Saint Petersburg was stripped of the match due to Russia’s military invasion of Ukraine, UEFA announced on Friday. The showpiece occasion of the European club season will be played at the Stade de France on Saturday, May 28, European football’s governing body said. UEFA also announced that Russian and Ukrainian clubs and national teams competing in international competitions must play home matches at neutral venues “until further notice.” The Kremlin later responded to Friday’s announcement, saying it was a pity Russia’s second city Saint Petersburg had been stripped of the right to hold the UEFA Champions League final. “It is a shame that such a decision was made,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said. “Saint Petersburg could have provided the best possible conditions for holding this football event.”