Following the suspension of Russian national teams and the clubs from the country by FIFA and UEFA, global sports brand Adidas cut its ties with the Russian Football Federation amid the invasion of Ukraine.
Adidas suspends partnership with Russian football amid invasion of Ukraine (AFP Photo)
HIGHLIGHTS
- Adidas had partnered with the Russian Football Federation for a long time
- The global sporting brand’s decision comes amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine
- Eerlier, FIFA and UEFA suspended Russia and Russian clubs
In a further blow to Russian football, global sports brand Adidas on Tuesday said it is suspending its partnership with the Russian Football Federation in the wake of the country’s invasion of Ukraine.
“Adidas is suspending its partnership with the Russian Football Federation (RFS) with immediate effect,” an Adidas spokesperson was quoted as saying by beIN Sports.
The German sportswear manufacturer had been in ties with Russian football for a long time but it has now joined the majority of the global sporting fraternity in censuring the country after it invaded Ukraine.
Notably, the global football governing body FIFA and the European body UEFA suspended Russian national football teams and the clubs from the country from all competitions until further notice.
“Football is fully united here and in full solidarity with all the people affected in Ukraine,” FIFA and UEFA said in a joint statement.
“Both presidents hope that the situation in Ukraine will improve significantly and rapidly so that football can again be a vector for unity and peace amongst people.”
UEFA also ended its sponsorship with Russian energy giant Gazprom.
Spartak Moscow, Russia’s only club left in the Europa League, will no longer compete in the European competition.
Meanwhile, the International Olympic Committee also recommended suspension of Russian and Belarusian athletes from major international competitions, condemning their invasion of Ukraine.
Earlier on Tuesday, the German coach of Lokomotiv Moscow football club, which was part of the Europa League, quit slamming Russia over its invasion of Ukraine. Markus Gisdol said he had been forced to take action having witnessed what is going on in Ukraine.
“I can’t stand on the training ground in Moscow, train the players, demand professionalism and a few kilometres away orders are given that bring great suffering to an entire people. That is my personal decision and I am absolutely convinced of it,” he said, as quoted by Reuters.
