• Uefa announce decision less than 48 hours before kick-off • Up to 500 Arsenal fans were expected to travel to Ukraine

This article is more than 1 year old

This article is more than 1 year old

Arsenal’s Europa League clash with Vorskla will take place in Kiev on Thursday due to security concerns, Uefa has announced.

The Group E fixture had been scheduled to be held at the Olexiy Butovskiy Stadion in Poltava, around 185 miles (300km) east of the Ukrainian capital.

After martial law was declared in some regions of the country on Monday, Uefa’s emergency panel announced the match, scheduled for 5.55pm GMT on Thursday, will now take place in Kiev’s Olimpiyskiy Stadium.

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A statement from Uefa read: “The emergency panel has today taken the decision to relocate FC Vorskla’s Europa League group stage match against Arsenal from the city of Poltava, following the introduction of martial law into certain regions in Ukraine.



“Uefa will continue to monitor and assess the security situation in Ukraine in the coming days before making any decision on potentially relocating other matches.”

Up to 500 Arsenal fans were expected to travel to the game in Poltava and now must make alternative arrangements, with the decision coming less than 48 hours before the scheduled start time, which remains unchanged.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has established a special section on its website to keep supporters up to date with potential developments. It stresses that while the trip should be trouble-free, fans should “be aware of the current political situation”.

“Ukraine is imposing martial law in parts of the country from 28 November to 27 December,” the FCO wrote on its website. “Increased security presence is likely in these areas; you should remain vigilant and follow the advice of local authorities.”

The decision comes less than 24 hours after Uefa had announced that the match would be played in Poltava despite mounting political tensions in Ukraine.

The Olimpiyskiy Stadium hosted the 2018 Champions League final between Liverpool and Real Madrid in May, as well as the Euro 2012 final.