The Premier League has suspended its six-year deal with Russian broadcaster, Match TV, in response to President Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine.
On Thursday, June 9, all 20 clubs met at the league’s annual general meeting and were informed the deal has been shelved due to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Match TV have close links to the Russian government as they are owned by Gazprom Media, and the channel was personally opened following a presidential decree by President Vladimir Putin in 2009. The network also has a deal with the Football Association to broadcast club games and UEFA to show the Champions League.
A deal with Match TV to kick in from the start of next season had already been agreed upon before the latest decision.
The decision comes after Manchester City ’s Ukraine star Oleksandr Zinchenko urged sporting organisations to “stop the sale of rights to broadcasts of international sporting competitions to Russian media.”
Football across western Europe has taken a firm stand against the war, displaying the Ukraine flag and broadcasting messages for peace before games.
The most significant consequence of the war has seen the ownership of Chelsea change hands after oligarch Roman Abramovich was sanctioned by the British government and the club was forced to operate under a special licence that barred all investment.
