UEFA set to TERMINATE £66m deal with Russian state energy company Gazprom


UEFA set to TERMINATE £66m deal with Russian state energy company Gazprom… with governing body expected to drop the agreement by March 8

UEFA are set to terminate their controversial £66m sponsorship deal with Russian state energy company Gazprom.

European football’s governing body, who on Friday confirmed that the Champions League final would be moved to Paris from St Petersburg following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, are expected to drop the agreement in time for the next fixtures on March 8.

The move would mean no Gazprom advertisement boards on display at stadia and no showing of television ads that have been in place since the lucrative agreement was signed in 2012.

The deal is worth around £33.6m a season and there are two years still to run after a three-year extension signed last year.

UEFA have come under intense fire for the agreement. It is understood that pressure was applied by European Union officials, with whom the organisation has a close relationship, and following consultation with lawyers.

The situation was discussed at an emergency meeting of UEFA’s executive committee on Friday morning, at which the decision to switch the May 28 final from Russia to the Stade de France was also confirmed.

UEFA also announced matches in European competition would not be hosted in either Ukraine or Russia as the conflict continues. 

UEFA are reportedly seeking legal advice on how to sever ties with Gazprom (pictured: UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin)

The energy company is majority-owned by the government of Vladimir Putin, the Russian president who ordered the invasion of Ukraine

The energy company is majority-owned by the government of Vladimir Putin, the Russian president who ordered the invasion of Ukraine

UEFA's sponsorship deal with Gazprom can be traced back to 2012 when the latter first became an official partner

UEFA’s sponsorship deal with Gazprom can be traced back to 2012 when the latter first became an official partner

Gazprom have already suffered a blow this week when German club Schalke announced on Thursday they were removing their logo from their shirts.

A club statement read: ‘Following recent developments, FC Schalke 04 have decided to remove the logo of main sponsor GAZPROM from the club’s shirts. It will be replaced by lettering reading ‘Schalke 04′ instead.’ 

Gazprom have sponsored Schalke since 2007. 

The news also comes after Manchester United cancelled their massive £40million sponsorship deal with another Russian company in airline Aeroflot.

The energy company spends approximately £34million (€40m) every year backing UEFA's various competitions, including the Champions League

The energy company spends approximately £34million (€40m) every year backing UEFA’s various competitions, including the Champions League

They also back international tournaments such as the Euros (trophy above) and the Nations League

They also back international tournaments such as the Euros (trophy above) and the Nations League

United flew to Madrid on Tuesday to face Atletico in the first leg of their last-16 Champions League tie with Titan Airways.

A United spokesperson said: ‘In light of events in Ukraine, we have withdrawn Aeroflot’s sponsorship rights.

‘We share the concerns of our fans around the world and extend our sympathies to those affected.’

However, Ukraine is still in a perilous position with Putin’s men now thought to be inside the city of Kyiv, though their exact location and number is unclear.

Ukrainian President Zelensky urged any European willing to defend the country to travel to Ukraine and join in the defence.

Ukrainian authorities used armoured vehicles and snowploughs to defend Kyiv and limit movement, and said Russian spies were seeking to infiltrate the city.

Russia’s military said it had seized a strategic airport outside Kyiv that would allow it to quickly build up forces to take the capital.

German club Schalkehave already announced they are removing Gazprom's logo from their shirts

German club Schalkehave already announced they are removing Gazprom’s logo from their shirts

In their nine year association with Aeroflot, United banked £100million from the deal

Manchester United have cancelled their massive £40million sponsorship deal with another Russian company in airline Aeroflot