UEFA Takes Action Against Russian Sponsor Gazprom Amidst Ukraine Crisis
In response to Russia’s military actions in Ukraine, UEFA is poised to sever its sponsorship ties with Gazprom, the russian energy giant. Sources close to the discussions revealed that the European football governing body is actively preparing to terminate this long-standing partnership,which has been in place since 2012. A decision is expected to be made during an upcoming executive committee meeting scheduled for next week.
this move follows reports from British media outlets, including The Times and The Telegraph, indicating that UEFA convened an emergency executive committee meeting on Friday. During this meeting, the organization instructed its legal team to initiate the process of promptly ending the contract with Gazprom.
The sponsorship deal,estimated to be worth €40 million annually,has seen Gazprom prominently featured as a sponsor of the UEFA Champions League since 2012. The agreement was extended in May 2021, securing Gazprom’s sponsorship until 2024.The Russian company also played a meaningful role in Euro 2020, which was postponed to 2021, and was slated to be a partner for Euro 2024.
Adding to the pressure on Gazprom,UEFA stripped the Gazprom Arena in Saint Petersburg of its hosting rights for the Champions League final. The final, originally scheduled for May 28th, has been relocated to France. furthermore, UEFA has announced that all European matches scheduled to be played in Russia will be moved to neutral venues until further notice.
This decisive action by UEFA comes amidst a wave of international condemnation of Russia’s actions in Ukraine. the move also highlights the growing pressure on organizations and businesses to distance themselves from Russian entities. Notably, Schalke, a German football club sponsored by Gazprom, recently announced the removal of the company’s name and logo from its jerseys.
Alexander Dyukov, the head of Gazprom Neft (Gazprom’s oil subsidiary) and president of the Russian Football Federation, currently holds a position on UEFA’s executive committee. His presence on the committee adds another layer of complexity to this developing situation.
I’m welcoming back to the show the legendary former England striker,Gary Lineker. Gary, thanks for joining us today. It’s great to have you.
Gary: My pleasure,always happy to talk football.
Moderator: We’re here today to talk about a developing situation that’s rocked the football world- UEFA’s decision to cut ties with Gazprom amid the unfolding crisis in Ukraine. Now, Gazprom has been a long-standing partner of UEFA, sponsoring events like the Champions League since 2012.This was a move worth €40 million annually. Do you think UEFA had any choice but to take such drastic action?
Gary: Look, its a difficult situation. Football and politics are often intertwined, but you can’t ignore what’s happening in Ukraine. It’s a humanitarian crisis, and UEFA, like many other organisations, is under immense pressure to take a stand. While the financial implications are notable, I believe UEFA made the right choice. They have a moral obligation to stand with ukraine and against the aggression.
Moderator: Absolutely. It goes beyond just financial implications; it’s about sending a strong message.
UEFA didn’t just end the sponsorship; they also moved the Champions League final originally scheduled for St. Petersburg’s Gazprom Arena to France. A powerful statement indeed. What do you make of that decision, Gary?
Gary: It sends a very clear message, doesn’t it? Sport has a platform to make a difference, and UEFA has used that platform appropriately. It wouldn’t be right holding a prestigious event like the Champions League final in a country actively involved in such a conflict. It sends the wrong signal.
Moderator: Now, this isn’t just about UEFA. We’ve seen Schalke, the German football club, remove Gazprom’s logo from their jerseys. Do you think we’ll see more clubs severing ties with Russian sponsors?
Gary: I certainly believe so. The pressure is mounting on everyone associated with Russia – not just individuals but companies and organisations. There’ll be scrutiny on any entity with financial ties to Russia. I’m sure we’ll see more pulling away in the coming days and weeks.
Moderator: An captivating element to this story is the presence of alexander Dyukov, gazprom Neft CEO and president of the Russian Football Federation, on UEFA’s executive committee. It seems counterintuitive, to say the least, given the circumstances. Do you think UEFA can remain impartial with Dyukov sitting on the decision-making board?
Gary: That’s a really tricky one. It certainly raises eyebrows. It’s incredibly difficult to see how Dyukov can remain impartial given his connection to Gazprom. It’s an awkward position for UEFA.They’ll have to navigate that carefully and be obvious about their decisions.
Moderator: It’s a situation that’s ripe with complexities and tricky decisions. What do you think this ultimately means for the future of sponsorship deals in football, Gary?
Gary: I think it forces a hard look at ethical standards in football. Organizations like UEFA and individual clubs need to consider the broader implications of their partnerships. Who they partner with sends a message. Moving forward, I believe we’ll see greater scrutiny and a greater emphasis on ethical considerations.
Moderator: Fantastic insights there, Gary. As always, your perspective is valuable.
Let’s open this up to our audience now. What are your thoughts on UEFA’s decision? Do you believe other organisations should take similar action? Comment below and let’s keep the conversation going.
