The Premier League club, Everton FC have announced that they have suspended all commercial sponsorship arrangements with Russian companies like USM Holdings, MegaFon and Yota with immediate effect following Russia’s attack on Ukraine.
USM Holdings and MegaFon are associated with billionaire and oligarch, Alisher Usmanov, who has been sanctioned by the European Union due to Russia’s attack on Ukraine. Yota, a mobile virtual network operator, is a subsidiary of the MegaFon Group.
Back in 2020, Megafon had signed a multi-year contract with Everton Women. The mobile phone company was labelled as shirt and sleeve sponsor of Everton’s women’s team.
Everton had agreed to a naming rights deal with Usmanov for its proposed new Bramley-Moore Dock stadium in 2020 for 30 million pounds ($39.97 million). Since 2017, his holding company, USM has sponsored Everton’s Finch Farm training facility.
Everton said in a statement, “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.”
The club also mentioned that it is offering complete support to its defender and Ukraine international, Vitalii Mykolenko and his family.
Usmanov previously owned 30% of Arsenal but sold it to American Stan Kroenke in 2018.
On the field, Everton will face the only non-league side left in the FA Cup, Boreham Wood on March 4.