Everton suspend ties with Russian companies linked to Alisher Usmanov

Everton has suspended its commercial sponsorship arrangements with Russian companies owned by Alisher Usmanov following the invasion of Ukraine.

Russian billionaire Usmanov has had his assets frozen by the European Union.

Uzbek-born Usmanov is behind the Russian-based telecoms company Megafon and holding entity USM, which have sponsorship deals with the Merseyside club.

The Finch Farm training ground bears the USM brand and Megafon signage is on the club’s Goodison Park ground.

USM Holdings, which has Everton owner Farhad Moshiri as its chairman, sponsors the training ground.

Usmanov also has an exclusive naming-rights option on Everton’s new stadium which is due to open for the start of the 2024-25 Premier League season.

Megafon is owned by USM and sponsors Everton women’s shirts. The multi-year deal was agreed in October 2020, while Yota, part of the Megafon group, is on the sleeve of the shirt.

The club said: “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 players, coaching staff and everyone working at Everton is providing full support to our 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.”