Alisher Usmanov, the billionaire whose business interests had sponsorship agreements with Everton, was barred from entering the UK prior to being hit with sanctions last year.
The 69-year-old Uzbek, a long-time friend and business associate of Everton owner Farhad Moshiri, was hit with sanctions by the UK Government in March 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and Usmanov’s historical ties to Russian president Vladmir Putin. Former Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich was subject to similar sanctions that saw him forced to sell the Stamford Bridge club.
In the wake of Usmanov’s sanctions, Everton severed ties with sponsors such as USM and Megafon, both visible brands at both Goodison Park and the club’s Finch Farm training ground, due to the Uzbek’s significant shareholding in those companies. Moshiri also gave up his seat on the board of directors at USM.
