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Alisher Usmanov, the man behind several of Everton's sponsors, has been named on a list of oligarchs to be sanctioned by the EU for alleged links to Russian president Vladimir Putin.

Usmanov, a billionaire whose company USM Holdings sponsors Evertons Finch Farm training ground as well as other deals including the option for a 30 million naming rights of their new stadium is one of several individuals to be targeted by measures designed to hit back at the Kremlin for invading Ukraine.

The 68-year-old Uzbek, who is a friend and business associate of Everton owner Farhad Moshiri, will have his assets in the EU frozen and others will be prohibited from making funds available to him. He will also be banned from entering or transiting through EU territory.

On Tuesday Usmanov stepped down from his role as president of the International Fencing Federation and vowed to challenge the measures imposed.

On 28 February 2022 I became the target of restrictive measures imposed by the European Union, a statement from Usmanov read.

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 honor, dignity, and business reputation.

I will use all legal means to protect my honor and reputation.

In a statement on Monday evening, the European Council confirmed 26 persons had been added to a list of those subject to sanctions.

It added that measures had been taken against those individuals in respect of actions undermining or threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine.

In an updated regulation in the Official Journal of the European Union, Usmanov was named as a pro-Kremlin oligarch with particularly close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The document added: (Usmanov) has been referred to as one of Vladimir Putins favourite oligarchs. He is considered to be one of Russias businessmen-officials, who were entrusted with servicing financial flows, but their positions depend on the will of the President.

The report also said that Usmanov actively supported materially or financially Russian decision-makers responsible for the annexation of Crimea and the destabilisation of Ukraine and actively supported the Russian governments policies of destabilisation of Ukraine.

Moshiri acts as chairman for USM while the Everton owner has a stake in MegaFon, a company of which Usmanov is the majority shareholder. MegaFon and Russian smartphone company Yota, which is part of the MegaFon group, sponsor Everton women.

USMs naming rights agreement with Everton began in 2017 on a five-year deal, with the clubs Halewood training ground renamed USM Finch Farm. In January 2020, Everton announced that Usmanovs USM had agreed to pay 30 million in order to have the first right of refusal for naming rights of Evertons new stadium. This was not for the actual rights, but merely the right to buy them.

Everton and Moshiri were approached for comment. Moshiri declined to comment, and Everton had not replied by the time of publication.

(Photo: Mikhail Svetlov/Getty Images)

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Everton sponsor Alisher Usmanov sanctioned by European Union over Vladimir Putin ties - The Athletic