MP Chris Bryant has urged Everton to cut ties with billionaire Alisher Usmanov after asking for the assets of Roman Abramovich to be seized last week. He is not officially involved with the club but his firm is the sponsor of the training ground as well as the Women’s main shirt sponsor. His assets were frozen by the European Union after Russia invaded Ukraine.
“Alisher Usmanov has already been sanctioned by the EU but not yet by the UK. But I suspect he will be pretty soon on a UK list and Everton should certainly be cutting ties with him already,” MP Bryant said about Everton and Alisher Usmanov. “Roman Abramovich – well, I think he is terrified of being sanctioned which is why he is already going to sell his home tomorrow and sell another flat as well. My anxiety is that we are taking too long about these things. I have a suggestion about what might help. I fear that the government is frightened of lawyers’ letters from all these oligarchs’ friends.”
“On 28 February 2022, I became the target of restrictive measures imposed by the European Union,” Usmanov said in a statement. “I believe that such 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. I hereby suspend the exercise of my duties as the President of the International Fencing Federation effective immediately until justice is restored.”
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