Alisher Usmanov is now banned from travelling and has had his assets frozen; includes £48m property in London; Usmanov's companies USM, Megafon and Yota had sponsored Everton; but on Wednesday the club suspended all commercial and sponsorship activities with them
Friday 4 March 2022 09:02, UK
Uzbekistan-born Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov has been sanctioned by the UK Government under measures to pressure Vladimir Putin over his invasion of Ukraine.
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss announced "a full asset freeze and travel ban" on Usmanov, including the seizing of two properties - Beechwood House in Highgate, worth an estimated £48 million, and the 16th century Sutton Place estate in Surrey.
Usmanov has been sanctioned alongside former Russian Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov, who was a key figure in Russia's successful bid for the 2018 World Cup, and has seen two central London properties worth £11m taken.
Truss said: "Our message to Putin and his allies has been clear from day one - invading Ukraine would have serious and crippling economic consequences.
"Sanctioning Usmanov and Shuvalov sends a clear message that we will hit oligarchs and individuals closely associated with the Putin regime and his barbarous war. We won't stop here. Our aim is to cripple the Russian economy and starve Putin's war machine."
Usmanov has not commented on the UK sanctions but on Tuesday he labelled European Union sanctions against him "restrictive and unfair", while also resigning from his position as International Fencing Federation president.
The statement read: "On 28 February 2022, I became the target of restrictive measures imposed by the European Union.
"I believe that such a decision is unfair, and the reasons employed to justify the sanctions are a set of false and defamatory allegations damaging my honour, dignity, and business reputation.
"I will use all legal means to protect my honour and reputation. I hereby suspend the exercise of my duties as the President of the International Fencing Federation effective immediately until justice is restored."
Everton have been contacted by Sky Sports News for comment.
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, who on Wednesday announced he would be selling the west London club, was not on the sanction list.
The sanctions come a day after Everton suspended all commercial and sponsorship activities with Usmanov's companies USM, Megafon and Yota in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Everton will also remove all signage and messaging relating to USM around the club and the training ground. Megafon had sponsored the club's women's shirts, but they will now be rebranded.
The Toffees' matchday programme for the FA Cup tie against Boreham Wood was also reprinted without any reference to Russian-backed sponsorship. Sky Sports News understands the entire rebranding move will cost the club around £500,000.
The global condemnation of Russia's actions has led to a world-wide crack down on the country's links to sport, with global sports federations announcing bans on Russian and Belerusian athletes.
The Russian Football Union says it will appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against the decisions by FIFA and UEFA to bar Russian national teams from international competitions.
Everton manager Frank Lampard has stressed the club stand behind Vitaliy Mykolenko, who started as captain for the Toffees in their 2-0 win against Boreham Wood in the FA Cup fifth-round on Thursday.
Goodison Park was filled with tributes for the match, while players from both sides and officials held up a banner pre-kick off in Ukrainian colours with the message: 'Imagine all the people, sharing all the world'.
Players from both sides also warmed-up in shirts stating: 'We stand with Ukraine', while Mykolenko emerged onto the pitch draped in a Ukrainian flag.
Speaking after the game Lampard said: "In terms of the tribute, I think as a club we try to do things properly and right, and I think we have done that in both of our home games with regards to Vitaliy and what's happening in the world."
Mykolenko moved to Goodison Park from Dynamo Kyiv in January and has hit the headlines this week for condemning Russia captain Artem Dzyuba and his team-mates for their silence on the country's invasion of Ukraine.
Lampard addressed Usmanov's involvement in the club by revealing the Russian billionaire was not part of the process to hire him as head coach at the end of January.
Lampard defended the club's actions ever since Russia's invasion of Ukraine began last week - and highlighted Everton's tribute to Ukraine before Saturday's Premier League game against Manchester City as a good example of the club's work.
"Those reports are inaccurate," said Lampard when asked if Usmanov played a role in his hiring. "My interview was with the board, with Mr (Farhad) Moshiri, the chairman (Bill Kenwright), Denise (Barrett-Baxendale) the CEO and others - but not Mr Usmanov. So that's not accurate in that sense.
