Everton FC is the latest club to break ties with Russian sponsors. (AFP photo)
“Everyone at Everton is shocked and saddened by the horrific events taking place in Ukraine,” Everton said in a statement.
- Reuters
- Last Update:March 02, 2022, 22:03 IST
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Everton has suspended all commercial sponsorship arrangements with Russian companies USM Holdings, Megafon and Yota with immediate effect, Premier League clubs said on Wednesday.
USM Holdings and MegaFon are linked to billionaire and oligarch Alisher Usmanov, who was sanctioned by the European Union for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Yota, a mobile virtual network operator, is part of the MegaFon Group.
Everton had agreed a £30 million ($39.97 million) naming rights deal with Usmanov for their proposed new Bramley-Moore Dock stadium in 2020. His holding company USM has sponsored Everton’s Finch Farms training ground since 2017.
“Everyone at Everton is shocked and saddened by the horrific events taking place in Ukraine,” Everton said in a statement.
“This tragic situation must end as soon as possible, and any loss of life must be avoided.”
The club said they were providing “full support” to their defender and Ukraine international Vitaly Mykolenko and his family.
Usmanov previously held a 30% stake in Arsenal but sold it to American Stan Kroenke in 2018.
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