Everyone has their penalties. Everton have decided to terminate all contracts with Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. “Everyone at Everton is shocked and saddened by the appalling events unfolding in Ukraine (…). The club confirms that it has suspended with immediate effect all commercial sponsorship contracts with the companies USM, Megafon and Yota”, in which Usmanov, a close friend of Vladimir Putin, has significant stakes.
Former shareholder of Arsenal from 2007 to 2018, Usmanov had become one of the main sponsors of the Toffees bought in 2016 by the Iranian Farhad Moshiri, with whom he was associated with the capital of the Gunners.
Usmanov also withdrawn from the fencing federation
The training center of the other Liverpool club had thus been renamed USM Finch Farm and the Russian of Uzbek origin also had an option of 30 million pounds (36 million euros) to give the name of one of his businesses at the new stadium currently under construction.
68-year-old Alisher Usmanov made his fortune in the metal industry. He is one of those Russian oligarchs who have invested in sports. Also at the head of the International Fencing Federation (FIE) since 2008, he announced on Tuesday his decision to “suspend his duties as president (…), with immediate effect, until justice is restored”.
Close ties to Putin
Faced with European Union sanctions over his ties to Putin, Usmanov called the EU’s decision “unfair”, saying it was made on the basis of “a set of allegations false and defamatory which damage (his) honor, (his) dignity and (his) reputation as businessmen”. “I will use all legal means to protect my honor and reputation,” warned the businessman.