Russo-Ukraine war: Everton suspends sponsorship with Russian companies

Everton has suspended all commercial sponsorship arrangements with Russian companies USM Holdings, Megafon and Yota with immediate effect as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, 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.”

Usmanov previously held a 30% stake in Arsenal but sold it to American Stan Kroenke in 2018.

Everton manager Frank Lampard was asked at his pre-match news conference on Thursday whether he had met Usmanov during a job interview in January.

“Those reports were incorrect. My interview was with the board: Mr. (Farhad) Moshiri, president, Dennis (Barrett-Baxendale CEO and the board – not with Mr. Usmanov.”

Lampard, who replaced Rafa Benitez as manager, said he was “absolutely confident” that the club would make the right decision on his sponsorship.

“We were one of the pioneers in showing solidarity and unity. The suspension was the right thing to do, it is important that I focus on football,” he told a news conference.

“If it feels right for the club, it’s the right thing to do. It’s the club’s decision. As a coach, a member of staff – our jobs haven’t changed. We have a deep empathy and sense of what to do” happening in the world.”

Everton players enter the pitch draped in Ukraine’s flag for their Premier League match against Manchester City on Saturday as Vitaly Mykolenko hugged Manchester City’s Oleksandr Zinchenko, a fellow Ukraine national.

Everton said they continue to provide “full support” to their defender and his family.

Mykolenko did not play against City but Lampard said he would play in an FA Cup fifth round match against Boreham Wood on Thursday.

“He will play tomorrow. I made this decision regardless of the external circumstances,” Lampard said.

“You should be aware of the life decisions for him at this point in time. The conversations I’ve had, I want to keep quiet because they’re fragile. He’s a new player here, he has our full support.”

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