No Premier League in Russia: FA suspends television broadcast deal with Russia Match TV after Ukraine invasion

In a huge setback for football lovers in Russia, the Premier League has chosen to back out of a multi-million dollar broadcasting with Match TV, a Russian channel that was scheduled to broadcast the new season of the league, reported Reuters on Thursday, June 9.

One of the best football leagues in the world that attracts almost all the big names in world football at the moment, the Premier League arrived at the decision in the aftermath of the Ukraine invasion that still rages on in Russia.

Reuters quoted an anonymous source stating that the information has been forwarded to the clubs in an annual general meeting held on Thursday.

According to Reuters, the league had signed a six-year contract worth 43 million pounds ($53.91 million) with Match TV which was set to begin from the 2022-23 season.

Russia and their athletes have seen several sanctions due to their country’s actions in Ukraine. Earlier, Wimbledon barred Russian and Belarusian athletes from competing in the prestigious event. Barring tennis, Russia faced sanctions from UEFA as well which barred them from participating in global events.

This is not the first action that the Premier League has taken against Russia and their known allies. Earlier, the Premier League forced Chelsea into a change of leadership and made sure that the money generated from the sale goes to a charitable cause instead into the pockets of former owner Roman Abramovich, who has established ties with Vladimir Putin. India Today