Russia ends it’s patnership with Rambler
Russia ends it’s patnership with Rambler (Okko Sport) as it affects Premier League updates on Russia Televisions
The decision that the Premier League games will no longer be displayed on Russian television networks was made at a shareholders’ meeting in London on Tuesday as the body keeps reacting to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The Premier League is donating £1million to support the people affected by the war.
A report read: “The Premier League and its clubs today unanimously agreed to suspend our agreement with Russian broadcast partner Rambler (Okko Sport) with immediate effect and to donate £1million to support the people of Ukraine.
“The League strongly condemns Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. We call for peace and our thoughts are with all those impacted.
“The £1million donation will be made to the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) to deliver humanitarian aid directly to those in need.”
The move comes after there was league-wide support for Ukraine over the weekend, where club captains wore special armbands, messages of support were displayed on big screens and there was a moment of reflection before kick-off at each of the 10 games.
The statement added: “This message of solidarity was visible to fans around the world across Premier League digital channels and via match broadcasts.
“This is in addition to the numerous ways in which clubs continue to display their support.”
The Football Association has also suspended its partnership with Russian broadcasters over rights for the FA Cup with immediate effect.
The government has endorsed the Premier League’s decision, with sports minister Nigel Huddleston saying Russian president Vladimir Putin must remain a “pariah”.
He said: “This is absolutely the right thing to do and we fully support the Premier League’s decision to stop broadcasting matches in Russia in response to Putin’s barbaric, senseless invasion of Ukraine.
“Russia cannot be allowed to legitimise its illegal war through sport and culture, and we must work together to ensure Putin remains a pariah on the international stage.”
Prior to Sunday’s game against Arsenal, at which Watford supporters showed their support for the people of Ukraine by turning the Rookery End into a large Ukrainian flag, Hornets’ manager Roy Hodgson said the league, as well as clubs and fans, was doing a good job of highlighting its stance and showing solidarity.
“[The Premier League] are doing a really good job and the club has put out statements expressing empathy and our sympathy with the people of Ukraine, just like everyone else is expressing that sympathy,” said Hodgson.
“I believe that our fans also have initiatives to show that they as fans of Watford Football Club are behind trying to end this dreadful war, and to show that we really do care for the people of Ukraine.”
EFL matches or club content will also no longer be available in Russia after the governing body stopped access to iFollow and other streaming services.
A statement read: “Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent humanitarian crisis that is unfolding in the region, the EFL has suspended the broadcast feeds of its matches in the Russian Federation.
“Access to the EFL’s iFollow service and other Club streaming services have also been withdrawn in the territory.
“Echoing the views of the Premier League and other organisations around the world, the EFL remains deeply concerned by the ongoing conflict. As has been demonstrated at EFL grounds around the country, ‘Football Stands Together’ with the people of Ukraine and all those impacted.”
