Following President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, Manchester United has ended their sponsorship with Russian carrier Aeroflot. Because of the present situation between Russia and Ukraine, a Manchester United spokesperson remarked about the decision.
Manchester United and Aeroflot
After Prime Minister Boris Johnson decided to censure Russia for its invasion of Ukraine, football has become increasingly active in such measures.
Since 2013, Aeroflot has been Manchester United’s principal sponsor, and the two sides renewed their agreement in 2017. They did not fly with the airline to Atletico Madrid in Spain for their UEFA Champions League match. According to reports, the team will fly with Qatar Airlines in the future.
Aftermath of the Withdrawal
With Manchester United announcing their decision to end their sponsorship with Aeroflot, teams with Russian ties will be under even more pressure to follow suit. Chelsea’s ownership is currently the subject of heated controversy both in the sports world and in government.
Chelsea has been owned by Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich since 2003, and he has transformed the club into one of Europe’s elite teams. They won the UEFA Champions League last season and the Club World Cup just a few weeks ago. The Blues have become one of England’s most successful teams in the last decade under Abramovich’s guidance.
A Labor MP has urged Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to sanction the Russian billionaire. Many Russian businessmen have already been sanctioned as a result of their ties to President Putin.
The UEFA Champions League final has also been transferred to the Stade de France from Zenit St Petersburg’s Krestovsky Stadium (the Gazprom Arena). President Putin’s invasion of Ukraine has had a significant impact on the football world. Chelsea, for example, could suffer as a result of his activities. In such a difficult moment, the footballing world, on the other hand, is demonstrating its unity.
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