Russian connections to football have been broken off since the invasion of Ukraine began
In the wake of Vladimir Putin’s widely condemned invasion of Ukraine, Western powers have moved quickly to place sanctions on Russia. The world of football has mirrored this, with organisations and clubs swiftly announcing how they have severed their own ties with the country.
In what is likely to be a growing list, here is how the sport of football has responded to events in Ukraine.
Polish FA
With a World Cup play-off against Russia scheduled for the end of March, Poland’s footballers – backed by their association – were the first national side to announce in a joint statement that they would refuse to play against the Russian team in protest at Putin’s invasion of their neighbours. Their captain, Bayern Munich’s Robert Lewandowski, explained on Twitter that it was the right decision, even if the Russian players were not responsible.
It is the right decision! I can’t imagine playing a match with the Russian National Team in a situation when armed aggression in Ukraine continues. Russian footballers and fans are not responsible for this, but we can’t pretend that nothing is happening. https://t.co/rfnfbXzdjF
— Robert Lewandowski (@lewy_official) February 26, 2022
Manchester United
Manchester United announced the day after Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine that it would be terminating its commercial partnership with Aeroflot. The Russian airline had been United’s official carrier since 2013 but, after the British government had blocked the company from operating in the UK, United announced they would be ending the deal a year before it was due to expire.
The team used a different carrier to travel to their Champions League game away to Atletico Madrid, before the Aeroflot deal was officially ended.
Schalke 04
German club Schalke announced within a week of Russia’s invasion that they had agreed to prematurely end a long-running sponsorship arrangement with Russian state-owned energy giant, Gazprom. All Gazprom branding had been removed from Schalke players’ shirts for the Gelsenkirchen club’s game with Karlsruher. Several supporters at the game had also taped over the company’s logo on their own replica shirts.
Swedish and Czech FA
Following the stance adopted by Poland, the football associations of Sweden and Czech Republic both confirmed they would refuse to play against Russia if they were to face them in a World Cup play-off. The two nations will face each other later this month, with the winner due to have met the winner of Poland’s game with Russia.
FIFA and UEFA
Having initially ordered that Russia were to be known as the Football Union of Russia for their future matches, which would take place without their anthem and flag, FIFA were urged to introduce significantly stronger measures. Within 24 hours, world football’s governing body, in conjunction with its European counterparts at UEFA, announced that all Russian teams were suspended from their competitions. The decision not only covered international tournaments such at this year’s Women’s Euros and Men’s World Cup, but also continental club competitions, from which any remaining Russian clubs have now been removed.
UEFA also announced that it had ended its long-term commercial deal with Gazprom and stripped St Petersburg of this year’s Champions League final.
Everton
Everton suspended all sponsorship arrangements with Russian companies owned by Alisher Usmanov on Wednesday after the Russian billionaire had his assets frozen by the European Union earlier in the week. Everton owner Farhad Moshiri is the chairman of USM Holdings, which is owned by Usmanov and is the current sponsor of the Premier League club’s training complex. Digital and telecommunications company Megafon is also owned by USM and appears on the shirts of Everton women’s team. Usmanov also holds an exclusive naming-rights option on the new Everton stadium development at Liverpool’s Bramley-Moore Docks.
European Club Association
The European Club Association (ECA), which represents the interests of clubs in UEFA, suspended all seven of its Russian members. Representatives from CSKA Moscow, Krasnodar, Lokomotiv Moscow, Rostov, Rubin Kazan, Spartak Moscow and Zenit Saint Petersburg were removed from the ECA with immediate effect during a meeting in London on Tuesday.
adidas
An adidas spokesperson announced the company had suspended ties with Russia on Tuesday following the recent events in Ukraine. The German sportswear company had produced the Russian team’s kit for over a decade.
EA Sports
EA Sports confirmed on Wednesday that Russian teams will be removed from FIFA 22.
The company announced the news in a statement on Wednesday afternoon: “EA Sports stands in solidarity with the Ukrainian people and like so many voices across the world of football calls for peace and an end to the invasion of Ukraine.
“In line with out partners at FIFA and UEFA, EA Sports has initiated processes to remove the Russian national team and all Russian clubs from EA Sports FIFA products including: FIFA 22, FIFA Mobile and FIFA Online. We’re also actively evaluating related changes to other areas of our games.”
Related links:
- Roman Abramovich ‘has shares in company that helps build Russian tanks’
- Andriy Yarmolenko joins Mykolenko in calling out Russian players’ silence on war in Ukraine
- UEFA change Champions League ball after moving final away from Russia
