Russia vs. Ukraine: Manchester United ends sponsorship deal with Russian Airline

The English club has been under pressure to terminate its contract with the Russian airline.

Manchester United have terminated their contract with official Russian airline sponsors Aeroflot over growing political tensions between Russia and Ukraine.

The club, on Friday, announced through an official statement that they had withdrawn the airline’s sponsorship rights.

This comes after United Kingdom’s prime minister Boris Johnson banned the company, owned majorly by the Russian Federation.

ow, the club has decided to end the sponsorship deal with Aeroflot which has been in existence since 2013 worth over £40m.

A statement from a spokesman for the English club said: “In light of events in Ukraine, we have withdrawn Aeroflot’s sponsorship rights.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.”

Meanwhile, UEFA has moved the venue of the 2021-22 season’s champions league final from St. Peterburg to Paris as tensions continue to rise between Ukraine and Russia.

As stated by the footballing body, the final will now take place at Stade de France in the French capital.

A statement from UEFA reads: “The UEFA Executive Committee today held an extraordinary meeting following the grave escalation of the security situation in Europe.”

“The UEFA Executive Committee decided to relocate the final of the 2021/22 UEFA Men’s Champions League from Saint Petersburg to Stade de France in Saint-Denis.

“The game will be played as initially scheduled on Saturday 28 May at 21:00 CET.

“UEFA wishes to express its thanks and appreciation to French Republic President Emmanuel Macron for his personal support and commitment to have European club football’s most prestigious game moved to France at a time of unparalleled crisis.

“Together with the French government, UEFA will fully support multi-stakeholder efforts to ensure the provision of rescue for football players and their families in Ukraine who face dire human suffering, destruction and displacement.

“At today’s meeting, the committee also decided that Russian and Ukrainian clubs and national teams competing in UEFA competitions will be required to play their home matches at neutral venues until further notice.”