Premier League matches are axed from Russian TV after football bosses donate £1million to Ukraine war victims

• Premier League and EFL football will no longer be broadcasted across Russia
• Football bosses agreed to send £1million to support those affected by the war 
• 20 top flight clubs agreed to suspend existing TV deal with Russia’s Okko Sport 

Premier League football matches will no longer be shown on Russian television after all 20 top flight clubs agreed to the measures and to donate £1million to war victims in response to Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.

The decision to suspend the existing deal with broadcast partner Rambler (Okko Sport) was made at a shareholders’ meeting in London on Tuesday as Premier League bosses continue their backlash against the Russian invasion.    

The Football Association has followed suit with rights for the FA Cup while the EFL has withdrawn access to its iFollow and other club streaming services in Russia.

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 Premier League has also said it will donate £1million to support all those affected by the war.

A statement 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 £1 million 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 £1 million donation will be made to the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) to deliver humanitarian aid directly to those in need.’

Premier League football matches will no longer be shown on Russian television after all 20 top flight clubs agreed to the measures and to donate £1million to war victims in response to Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. Pictured: Manchester City’s Phil Foden battles for possession with Manchester United’s Harry Maguire

Leicester City fans display flags and banners in support of Ukraine in the stands before the match against Leeds United on Saturday

The news comes as hundreds of major firms across the West continue the Great Cancellation of Russia in the wake of the war in Ukraine.

In total more than £100 billion of trade ties have already been severed with the increasingly isolated nation, with no sign of the ever-largening embargo losing its existing momentum. 

The Premier League 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 Match over rights for the FA Cup with immediate effect, the PA news agency understands.

EFL matches or club content will 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.’

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.’

Scotland’s World Cup play-off semi-final against Ukraine has been postponed, the PA news agency understands.

The Ukraine football authorities made a request to FIFA last week to postpone the game, which is scheduled for March 24 at Hampden.

The world governing body is expected to confirm the postponement soon.

The winners of the game were scheduled to meet Wales or Austria in a play-off final on March 29.

The Scottish Football Association has been in regular contact with both FIFA and UEFA since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to discuss both the play-off game and a women’s World Cup qualifier between the two countries, which is scheduled for April 8.

Scotland captains Andy Robertson and Rachel Corsie last week expressed their solidarity with Ukraine’s footballers.

The men’s team are also due to host Ukraine in the UEFA Nations League on June 7 but their World Cup play-off looks likely to be moved to that month.

Scotland are also due to play the Republic of Ireland plus a double header against Armenia in June’s Nations League schedule.

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