Everton keep at bay Russian tycoon Usmanov

Article posted by Coliseum, March 3^rd, 2022

Image: Everton FC

English Premier League club Everton F.C. (UK) said on March 2^nd that they were suspending with “immediate effect” sponsorship agreements with three companies in which Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov has a stake following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The ‘France 24’ stated that a club statement sent out read, “Everyone at Everton remains shocked and saddened by the appalling events unfolding in Ukraine. This tragic situation must end as soon as possible, and any further loss of life must be avoided.”

Everton’s statement added, “The players, coaching staff and everyone working at Everton is providing full support to our (Ukrainian) player Vitalii Mykolenko and his family and will continue to do so. The club can confirm that it has suspended with immediate effect all commercial sponsorship arrangements with the Russian companies USM, Megafon and Yota.”

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine entered its seventh day on March 2^nd, with heavy attacks on the Cities of Kharkiv and Kherson.

The Everton Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Liverpool (UK) that currently competes in the Premier League, the top tier of English football.

The ‘France 24’ further stated that Usmanov, an associate of Russian President Vladimir Putin, has a major stake in the above three companies.

The 68-year-old Usmanov had already had his assets frozen by the European Union (EU) as part of sanctions imposed in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Usmanov, a longtime business partner of Everton owner Farhad Moshiri, was among the 26 individuals targeted with sanctions on February 28^th.

The 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 (Bramley-Moore Dock Stadium) – a deal worth £30 million ($40 million) to the Merseyside club.

The 52,888-capacity Bramley-Moore Dock Stadium is a proposed football stadium for Everton F.C. on Bramley-Moore Dock in Vauxhall, Liverpool, England (UK). The stadium is due to open for the start of the 2024-2025 Premier League seasons, replacing the 39,572-capacity Goodison Park in Liverpool, England.

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