English Premier League club Everton on Wednesday said they
had “suspended with immediate effect” sponsorship agreements with several
companies in which Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov has a stake, following
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
“The club can confirm that it has suspended with immediate
effect all commercial sponsorship arrangements with the Russian companies USM,
Megafon and Yota,” said an Everton statement.
Uzbek-born Usmanov’s USM Holdings sponsors Everton’s
training ground, with an initial five-year deal announced in 2017.
It also has an option on naming rights for the Toffees’ new
stadium — a deal worth £30 million ($40 million) to the Merseyside club.
The 68-year-old Usmanov, an associate of Russian President
Vladimir Putin, had already had his assets frozen by the European Union as part
of sanctions imposed in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Everton added they were “shocked and saddened by the
appalling events unfolding in Ukraine,” as they called for a “tragic situation”
to end as soon as possible.
The Toffees have an Ukrainian player in Vitalli Myolenko,
with their statement saying they were providing the defender and his family
with our “full support” and “will continue to do so”.
An update in the Official Journal of the European Union said
Usmanov, a long-time business partner of Everton owner Farhad Moshiri, was
among the 26 individuals targeted with sanctions on Monday.
Usmanov contested the EU punishment while announcing Tuesday
he was stepping aside, for the time being, from his position as president of
the International Fencing Federation (FIE).
“I believe that such decision is unfair, and the reasons
employed to justify the sanctions are a set of false and defamatory allegations
damaging my honor (sic), dignity and business reputation,” he wrote in a
statement posted on the FIE website.
“I will use all legal means to protect my honor (sic) and
reputation.
“I hereby suspend the exercise of my duties as the president
of the International Fencing Federation effective immediately until justice is
restored.”
The EU declaration said restrictive measures included “an
asset freeze and a prohibition from making funds available to the listed
individuals and entities”.
Describing Usmanov as someone with particularly close ties
to Putin, it added: “He has been referred to as one of Vladimir Putin’s
favourite oligarchs.
“He is considered to be one of Russia’s
businessmen-officials, who were entrusted with servicing financial flows, but
their positions depend on the will of the President.”
AFP
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com