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MARTIN SAMUEL: Russia are at it. We caught them at it. We know they're still at it. Yet still sports appeases them...

Appeasement. It is a word that has been heard a lot this week. Politicians have appeased Vladimir Putin, nations have appeased Vladimir Putin, sport has appeased Vladimir Putin. Most of all, football.

We can all join the dots. Chelsea are owned by Roman Abramovich, Alisher Usmanov has an interest in Everton. UEFA are in hock to Gazprom, Manchester United to Aeroflot and the Champions League final was heading to St Petersburg.

Liz Truss, who is Foreign Secretary and has the furry hat to prove it, said if the match were not moved any English club involved should announce a boycott.