Update: FC Vorskla – Arsenal moved to Kiev

Arsenal’s Europa League group tie with Ukrainian side Vorskla Poltava has been moved to Kiev due to security concerns after the Ukrainian government declared martial law in some areas (see below).

Uefa itself made the decision to move Thursday’s game from the city of Poltava which will now take place at Dinamo Kiev’s Olimpiyskiy Stadium with kick-off at 17:55 GMT.

 

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Arsenal’s upcoming Europa League tie with FC Vorskla is set to go ahead amid rising tensions between Ukraine and Russia this week, UEFA has said.

On Sunday, Russia captured three Ukrainian naval vessels in the waters of Crimea. The event has led to president Petro Poroshenko calling for martial law in a move that could lead to more unrest for civilians in certain areas of Ukraine, which was illegally annexed by Russia four years ago.

UEFA have since released a statement about Thursday’s night game between FC Vorskla and Arsenal, which is set to take place in Poltava, 600km away from Crimea.

Europe’s football governing body said:

“We confirm that the match will be played as scheduled. As is the case for all UEFA competition matches, all the necessary security measures will be undertaken.”

The UK Foreign Office has also strongly advised fans travelling to the game from England that they avoid going through Crimea, as well as the areas of Donetsk and Luhansk.