Everton are continuing to come under increasing pressure to cut ties with Alisher Usmanov following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Russian president Vladimir Putin launched a military invasion, that is still ongoing, on Ukraine last week.
The move has prompted a huge backlash from the international community with a number of Russians oligarchs having been sanctioned by the USA and the EU.
And Usmanov has been named by the EU as one of a number of oligarchs sanctioned for apparent ties to Putin.
The sanctions include an asset freeze and a prohibition from making funds available to the listed individuals and entities - as well as a travel ban to prevent them from entering or transiting through EU territory.
The ECHO has contacted Everton for comment and clarity on the club's position with Usmanov’s companies that sponsor the club.
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USM and MegaFon branding appears pitchside at Goodison Park and as part of the advertising boards for post-match interviews.
USM has also secured a naming rights option on Everton's proposed Bramley-Moore Dock stadium, with the company signing a £30m deal which essentially granted them first refusal on having the new ground named after them.
And below is a look at what the national media have been saying about Usmanov and his links to Everton, and what could come next for the club...
Matt Dickinson of The Times wrote: “The only private jet flight of my life was courtesy of Alisher Usmanov. This big bear of a man was on a charm offensive 15 years ago as he sought to become a force in English football, so he flew half a dozen of us to Moscow.
"The idea that we were sitting next to a future Premier League club owner never occurred, but it has recurred often, trying to understand how the alliance works between Usmanov and Moshiri, which could make life very complicated for Everton now that Usmanov faces sanctions.
“One manager turned up in a foreign country to be interviewed for the Everton job and walked into a country estate to be greeted by Usmanov, and told that they would be having more dealings. Meanwhile Usmanov was on the Zoom call when Frank Lampard was interviewed for the Everton job in January.”
Before Dickinson continued: “Usmanov has had to work to become part of the Moscow elite. His childhood was in Tashkent, so he was an outsider. He told us that he had always had a passion for sport and, clearly aware of his audience, claimed that he fell in love with football in 1966 because of Bobby Moore, and had a picture on his wall at home of Stanley Matthews.
“His love for an English club has, though, been fickle. He looked at stakes in many, including Manchester United, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur, as well as having a private box at Chelsea, before trying and failing to take control of Arsenal.”
Matt Law, Tom Morgan and Ben Rumsby all of The Telegraph wrote: “Telegraph Sport revealed on Tuesday how he had been present over Zoom when Frank Lampard attended an interview with the board to become the club’s head coach.
“Everton insisted that any interaction would have been conversational and that the 68 year-old was not part of the process to interview or appoint Lampard.
“However, years of speculation that Usmanov exerts major influence over majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri played a part in MPs demanding tough club action after the EU Council's sanction.”
Before the report continued: “It has long been suggested that his influence on the club is more extensive given Moshiri has been a business partner. Telegraph Sport understands Usmanov was on a Zoom call with Moshiri when Lampard, the club’s board and former player Tim Cahill gathered for an interview. It is understood that Usmanov directed one question to Lampard.
“Lampard, who answered the question put to him, has never met Usmanov personally and has had no interaction with him since. During and since his appointment, he has primarily dealt with and reported to Moshiri, chairman Bill Kenwright and chief executive Denise Barrett-Baxendale.
“Usmanov’s nephew, Sarvar Ismailov, was a director at Everton until he resigned last November."
While Andy Dunn of the Daily Mirror reported: “Everton maintain any relationship with Usmanov is purely commercial and that he does not have an influence on the running of the club.”
Before he continued: “The connections with Usmanov were being discussed in the Goodison Park boardroom and a statement is expected at some point.
“But the pressure is mounting on the club to disassociate itself with Usmanov."
