Premier League could CANCEL six-year TV deal in Russia worth £41million amid Ukraine invasion
PREMIER LEAGUE chiefs could scrap a six-year TV deal with Russia worth £41million.
That is according to the Daily Mail, who report that the Prem are planning to stop broadcasting in Russia altogether next week.
A decision will be made at a meeting of the clubs on Tuesday as the world of sport has condemned president Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
The top flight’s ongoing Russian TV deal with Rambler Media, which is owned by state-owned Sberbank, had three months left to run and this season’s £6million rights fees have already been paid in full.
A new six-year, £41m-worth TV contract with Match TV was due to come into effect next season.
But that could be scrapped as the broadcasters are owned by state-owned Gazprom Media and the English top flight has taken a stance against Russian hostilities in Ukraine.
Premier League chief executive Richard Masters told the Financial Times’ Business of Football Summit: “With regards to our broadcast contracts in Russia, clearly they are under review.
“We’re looking at the contracts very closely in terms of suspension, termination. It’s happening right now. It’s a fast-moving situation.”
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The Premier League is planning to insert pro-Ukraine and anti-war messages during TV coverage this weekend.
Prem executives have been liaising with the UK government about their Russian TV contracts and have opted to make a political and humanitarian stand against the ongoing war.
This comes after China’s decision to pull TV coverage of the English top flight this weekend to avoid screening the organised shows of support during matches.
China is Russia’s largest trading partner and one of the few nations globally that has not condemned Putin’s invasion.
Prem captains will wear yellow and blue armbands this weekend as a tribute to the Ukrainian flag, while big screens at stadiums will display messages that read ‘Football Stands Together’.
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