War in Ukraine: Everton suspends partnership with Alisher Usmanov's Russian group USM Holdings

"The club can confirm that it has suspended with immediate effect all commercial sponsorship arrangements with the Russian companies USM, Megafon and Yota," announced Everton FC (Premier League) on 02/03/2022. The reason for the suspension is Russia's invasion of Ukraine led by President Vladimir Putin, which began on Thursday 24/02/2022.

USM Holdings was founded by Alisher Usmanov, a Russian-Uzbek businessman close to Vladimir Putin, who is subject to European Union sanctions imposed because of the conflict. The company had acquired an option for the naming rights to Everton's future stadium for £30m (€35m as of 14/01/2020). The Russian group also owns the naming rights to the club's training centre - USM Finch Farm - for the 2017-2022 cycle.

USM's subsidiary Megafon Group (telecommunications) and its mobile phone brand Yota became the main shirt sponsor and sleeve sponsor respectively of the English club's women's team following an agreement signed on 29/10/2020.

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