Everton suspend sponsorship arrangements with Russian companies

About time.

As others have said, this gives everybody some breathing space and they can carefully consider how the club should move forward in the future.

I see someone asked "Why did it take so long to come to this decision?" – for the simple reason that Putin only invaded Ukraine less than a week ago, and Usmanov was only sanctioned by the EU on Monday.

This scandalous behaviour by Russia brings into focus the question of where the money is coming from to fund the Premier League and its collection of millionaire footballers.

Next, we will need some reassurances and information from Mr Moshiri about the new stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock and our future in general.

His decision to abandon AGMs despite holding around 95% of the shares illustrates something about the person and the Board and their concerns about the Shareholder voice.

The decision has cost Everton FC around £500k according to Alan Myers. I doubt any monies has been returned to the sponsor at this point, but it probably means that any further revenue from this source will not be forthcoming for as long as the suspension is in place.

From a moral viewpoint, and outside of Everton, it should be accompanied by the UK government imposing a coherent and integrated range of sanctions against any organisations or individuals (A) currently associated with Russia, and/or (B) associated with Russia after the 2014 invasion of Crimea, given that the occurrence of the latter is linked inextricably with the current situation.

Otherwise, sanctions are likely to be window dressing and reflect reactive faux outrage, failing to recognise the vital importance of proactive measures which might have prevented the current invasion, and which are essential for preventing future occurrences, thereby paving a way towards longer-term resolution of the issues surrounding Ukraine.

Usmanov makes money from lending us the money as well as from supplying the steel etc.

Today's announcement is the right thing to do; I can just see us at Goodison for a long time still.

"Have we suspended taking the income as well as suspended the advertising / logos? "

If they haven't, they would come up with the excuse "We didn't want to go Russian into things..." :-)

At the moment, we don't know anything about your stadium funding and it worries me greatly. If it was Russian based, then we're in a mess – like our on-field team currently is.

I suspect it was limited to the naming rights.

Much more worrying is that we're looking likely to go down this season. I'm sure that will be the bigger threat to the project.

Derek, one of your worst howlers!

I think there's not much point in speculating about the stadium financing right now. Even Usmanov and Moshiri themselves probably don't know the answers because they'll be determined by what happens in Ukraine and Moscow in the next weeks and months. They have no more control over the situation than we do.

Don't worry – we can offset that £500k with other Russian money as CSKA Moscow are reportedly paying 75% of Gbamin's wages of £50,000 a week for three months which equates to £585K.

If you're seriously upset about these puns, I'd have to say Crimean River mate!

Mike, (#19) with regard to your comment ‘They (Usmanov & Moshiri) have no more control over the situation than we do.' I'm not sure that's the case. Putin and the various oligarchs are connected.

The reason Usmanov became a billionaire is that Putin turned a blind eye, or more likely, approved, his inheritance of masses of former Russian State wealth.

These oligarchs are part of a large club where they all look after each others' backs. Like the oligarchs, Putin has made millions (maybe billions) out of Russia, it just so happened Putin got to play dictator.

These guys will all be connected and no doubt have some influence over Putin. They have the ability to tell Putin to stop being a fucking nutter and protect their own and their families lifestyles and lives, along with us mere mortals. So I think they do have some potential control over Putin, at least let's hope so, for all our sakes.

Consider yourselves reported to the Joke Crimes Tribunal.

Pretty sure some of Usmanov's money, as we speak, will have found it's way to Moshiri.

As soon as Roman handed his ownership to the supporters trust, you can bet Usmanov had something in place for his friend Moshiri.

Give it a few more weeks and the impact of the rich Russian money men, seeing the rubble drop quicker than a Salah dive, and the ordinary Russian people hit poverty, will see this awful terror come to an end.

The Russian mafia will not take losing money lightly, horse's head and Oswald spring to mind.

USM is not an organisation that would supply either structural or reinforcing steel to the contractors building the stadium, so that's one thing less to worry about.

As I posted on another thread, Putin's inner circle is made up of close, often lifelong friends -- people he played hockey and judo with as kids, the guy who introduced him to his wife, his mission partner in the KGB.

Not only do they owe him their billions and their palatial homes and yachts, they see the world exactly has he does. And, by multiple accounts, they have no interest in influencing his decisions -- they simply follow his lead.

Usmanov is not a part of that inner circle, and would be unlikely to have any influence.

This assumes Everton didn't get the money up front or took out insurance given the instability of UK-Russia relations recently. We may therefore see Gbamin back at Finch Farm very soon...

The bank that owns CSKA is on the sanctions list, meaning West Ham can't pay the next installment on Vlasic. I wonder of the terms of the payments to Gbamin were based on rubles or pounds? If the later he is suddenly much more expensive.

I did wonder of he'd be sent packing but, with no flights allowed to land between the two countries, I guess he'd have to drive

Usmanov's missus supposedly introduced Putin to his now mistress. I think she's more in the inner circle than him.

Even Russian citizens were withdrawing dollars from banks that had some. As you say the rouble is worth Jack Shit now against all Western currencies so watch this space! Don't pass Gbamin's locker on to anyone just yet.

Kristian, yep, and she's a legend in her own right as an Olympics coach. Putin is crazy about Olympic glory.

Putin: A Russian Spy Story

Each episode 45 minutes long. Viewers outside of the UK will probably need a VPN to watch it.

It takes you from his humble impoverished beginnings, to his early days in the KGB. First getting politically involved with the St Petersburg mayor, before moving to Moscow and REALLY moving into powerful spheres.

A fascinating watch with lots of on-camera stories from people who were 'in the room'. Such as his PR men who, after Yeltsin nominated Putin as his successor to be President, had a blank canvas to work with, so anonymous was Putin.

Footage of the oligarchs is revealing. Yes, there was collusion. They could keep their ill-gotten gains if they supported and aligned themselves to Putin's government.

The richest and most powerful of them all, Mikhail Khodorkovsky, openly challenged Putin about corruption in his government. He was made an example of and put away for 10 years. As a result, the other 'lesser' oligarchs learnt very quickly not to cross Putin.

In other words, it is not the oligarchs controlling Putin. It is Putin who holds the dog whistle and choker.

It is the same with political opponents. It is well into double figures the oligarchs and critics - politicians, journalists, human rights activists - who have died violently or mysteriously having crossed Putin.

I've read in recent days that Putin is 'mad'. I don't think he is clinically mad.

He is, I believe, a super-narcissist. A megalomaniac. A hard, cold, calculating dictator who, like most dictators, keeps himself in power through a reign of terror over his opponents. Be it the oligarchs or political opponents, or even the people. He is murderously revengeful.

There is a certain 'rationale' as to why he has moved in on Ukraine, even though for many that rationale neither justifies nor legitimizes his invasion.

That Ukraine has held out for nearly a week already, given Russia's military might, is remarkable.

But this man is ruthless. In the last 24 hours we have seen a considerable escalation in the bombardment of civilian areas, contrary to all his claims about only targeting military installations.

The encirclement, the laying to siege of cities, starving them to the point of death, is a game play from Putin's military interventions in Chechen and Syria.

This, I believe, is about to get very bloody.

I'm not sure it even matters once you've signed up for criminal conspiracy. You don't really get an escape clause from relationships like that.

And just for humour, let's not rule out that this is just an episode of syphilitic rage.

I'm guessing you don't fully grasp what constitutes a strawman argument.

I'll be there and cheering tomorrow, of course, but all I want is that we stay up, we stay a Premier League club, and those lot win nothing more than Carabao Cup… not a lot to ask!

On another note, this is a 'suspension' right? Not a complete break???

'Suggestions by some that it is Russian oligarchs that 'control' and maintain Putin...'

'Control' is in inverted commas, which in my typography can be interpreted to mean a hypothetical. The synonym 'influence' equally sits well here, which is the word Mike switches in, acknowledging that this is what others have speculated on.

Semantics, eh?

I tend to agree with Mike that it is wishful thinking to believe the oligarchs can control/influence (delete/select as per your personal preference) Putin to the degree some speculate.

To support that view, I linked to a revealing 3-episode biography on the man. It demonstrates very graphically the evolution of the symbiotic relationship between the greenhorn President and the oligarchs. It portrays Putin as the alpha dog in the pack. Watch it, or don't.

Specifically for you, Dale, none of my original post constitutes a strawman argument, because:

1) I wasn't disputing the opinion of any one person or group;
2) I didn't put up any sort of fallacy, or misrepresentation of anyone's stated opinion, typical of an actual strawman argument.

Conclusion: back to Basic Philosophy 101 for you, Dale.

If you have to adopt a different word, moving from 'control' to 'influence', then you have admitted that you constructed an initial false and unjustifiably flattering basis to bootstrap your argument. Ta Da! That's a strawman, Jay.

You're welcome, that one is on the house. Thanks for playing.

And you express 'concern' at the discussion standards?

You're getting flustered over nothing, Dale.

Watch the shared link I put up. Or don't.

That was the primary focus of my original post that, for whatever reason best known to you, so inflamed you.

To share relevant information on a hot and relevant topic.

That's it.

This will come back and bite us, if we don't cut our ties with one of Putin's puppets!!!

If you are sincere about your 'concerns' for discussion standards, how about contributing something meaningful, relevant, insightful to TW, rather than only joining in a game of puns, foot-stomping and pouting as you have in this thread?

Lots of implications to all of that for Usmanov I expect. Us too perhaps.

That's true on Facebook – he made I think a billion for selling shares after his initial investment helped bankroll it at the outset.

"Usmanov's missus supposedly introduced Putin to his now mistress. I think she's more in the inner circle than him."

The Buffalo Girls go Round The Outside. :-)

Robert and Joe, the Germans just announced a huge increase in their defense spending. This seizure will save their Navy budget a billion or so for a new patrol boat -- just a quick conversion, toss some satin pillows over the side, and rename it the Gerd Mueller.

Hey, did you guys know China asked Putin to delay the Ukraine invasion until after the Olympics?

China Asked Russia to Delay Ukraine War Until After Olympics, say US Officials

For fuck's sake... most of our houses would be half-empty!

Any of you lads go to that away 2nd leg? I recall goals from McFadden and Big Victor. What was Kharkiv like?

Nothing wrong with that.

Gbamin has been spotted boarding an ice-breaker in Archangel, as flights have been banned. Said ice-breaker due at Grangemouth some time in April. He'll be eligible for the FA Cup semi-final.

I assure you you don't know what dark territories my life has taken me so do not presume where or not I have been.

Dale… what an honest response that I applaud you with, sir!

The Sun (I know) newspaper, the top selling in the UK (even though it's a rag,) has a front page story today by a defense expert arguing that the oligarchs will overthrow Putin.

I think it is nonsense and disagree but it substantiates Jay's comment that some people think the oligarchs ‘control' the show. Hence the clamor in the media to go after them.

But wouldn't that be because the Murdoch Empire think they can do that and has been their boast, to my knowledge, since 1975.

Oh, and was it Elvis Costello some years ago who wrote that poetic line, "but you don't get no tits in the Daily Express"?

My angle is that the oligarchs are culpable for what is happening and that none deserve a pass at this point, game's up. There may be differences about whether their capital accumulation is fully down to being in the syndicate but to suggest they deserve consideration beyond the sfuff we already know about seems absurd to me.

They are not diplomats. Some have refused citizenships due to their obvious complicity. There is enough there to pursue seizure as a counter to the move their boss made. No asymmetrical accountability should force us to keep something off the table that could help the Ukrainians.

I hope that doesn't read like a rant. I'm open to some criticism on this but could do without ridicule. Thanks for reading.

I see action taken against oligarchs, such as (temporary) seizure of their assets, as a reasonable lever - just one influence to add to the rest, in an attempt to control Putin.

First Chechnya, then Georgia, later the Crimea, now Ukraine. So who's next? Moldova? The Baltic states? Poland? All have Russian speaking communities which he can use as an excuse to invade.

Of course the sanctions on Usmanov might hurt us financially but there are things far more important than our transfer kitty or a new stadium. Not many I know, but this is far bigger.

Edit: Apologies Ed, missed your early post on this.

I think Ukraine should surrender and put an end to the terrible human cost that is coming, better to jaw jaw than war war.

Describing the unprecedented attack on a neutral country by Putin as merely 'politics' is underplaying it a little, don't you think? And given Everton's indisputable ties to a sanctioned oligarch who commands not one but three of our main sponsors, it's hardly something we can just turn a blind eye to.

Putin made it clear that just talking about this was not going to stop him, and you deciding what Ukrainians should or shouldn't do in response is a bit much, to be honest. Surely that's entirely their call and the least you could do is respect it?

Meanwhile, the Echo are reporting that: "Everton have started to remove all branding connected to Alisher Usmanov firms from the club's Goodison Park ground ahead of tonight's FA Cup tie against Boreham Wood.

"As well as branding being removed from inside and outside of Goodison, the LED advertising boards around the outside of the pitch will also no longer feature anything from USM, MegaFon or Yota related.

"Wherever the removal of branding cannot be completed in time for tonight's match, the club will endeavour to cover up logos and other advertising as best they can.

"Tonight's programme will also not feature any USM branding throughout the pages or on the front cover, which have been prevalent for a number of years."

Everton take immediate Goodison Park action after suspending Alisher Usmanov ties

I don't like to see people advising innocent victims to surrender on this site. It reminds me of the advice women have received historically that it may be safer to give a rapist what he wants. Sorry to upset the quiet life you crave Dale, but victims don't get a chance to jaw jaw when they surrender in a war war.

What they do get are orders to listen listen and obey obey.

Back to business. I did post this earlier but it seems to have disappeared.

I don't understand the view that Usmanov's imminent departure from his association with Everton will cause the club financial difficulties. I've not seen, read or heard any evidence that, aside from sponsorship, he has either assisted or invested in Everton, either generally or specific to the stadium. We can find other sponsors.

I stand to be corrected if any evidence exists but I firmly believe this is as much a myth as the Fortress Sports Fund investment!

I can't disagree with you. However, the human cost of this war, the root cause of which is political ideology, is going to prove devastating to the general population of Ukraine. That really was the point I was making.

I think you are wrong to ask the editors of ToffeeWeb to stop putting political points of view on these threads, but I support your view that it would be better for Ukraine to surrender at this point in the Russian attack.

In fact, to me, the Mayor of the city in Ukraine who has just done that is more of a hero than the leader of Ukraine who is urging his people to carry on fighting. One is saving lives, the other is asking for the slaughter of his people.

I don't need to be told how brave the people of Ukraine have been but surely enough is enough now, in this unequal war with no referee to step in and end this devastation.

So the human cost of the second World War, in your view, should have led to us surrendering to the Nazis?

Do yourself a favour and stop digging. As much as all decent people detest war, sometimes a stand has to be made otherwise the world would forever be under the control of the biggest paranoid bully and there would be no opportunity for people like you to offer your opinions silly as they may be.

How are we defining Russian wealth now? It appears to be based purely on his nationality – just because Moshiri isn't Russian, all his money is tied into Russia, Usmanov and all of his companies so what's the difference?

This has obviously hit a nerve with you. We are going to disagree, so I will leave it there. My views are mine and yours are yours.

No it didn't touch a nerve at all. I don't think there IS a nerve for total bewilderment.

Got news for you mate. Usmanov is not Russian either, he's Uzbeki.
Uzbek(istan) used to be part of the USSR but has been independent since the collapse.

Seriously? Again? The irony.

For someone whose contribution to this thread includes:
* claims you are 'concerned about discussion standards' on the site
* falsely accusing others of 'strawman arguments' they haven't made
* ask for 'civility' in exchanges
* claiming to be 'open to some criticism, but could do without the ridicule'
* putting up crass 'puns'...

Read your own posts back. You hypocritically fall well short of the high standards you demand of others, Dale.

WHO, WHERE and WHEN, as you now claim, has anyone suggested the oligarchs 'deserve consideration beyond the stuff we already know'?

WHO, WHERE and WHEN has anyone categorically opposed sanctions as a means to 'help the Ukrainians', as you further claim?

To my eye Dale, your contribution to this thread exposes:
* your very limited reading comprehension skills
* a total absence of 'standards and civility' you demand of others
* an absence of genuine engagement in the debate other than baseless 'ad hominem' arguments
* some wincing crass 'humour'

It's not a good look Dale.

Okay so Usmanov is Uzbek, but that's way more Russian than my English/Welsh heritage so I'm going to call him Russian (I have no idea if this would upset him). It also makes him more Russian than Moshiri's Iranian, so...

What's the difference in Moshiri's money and Usmanov's other than his nationality?

There's no such concept as 'more Russian' than X or more Welsh than y. You're either Russian or Welsh, Canadian Innuit or Kalahari bushman.

It was you who brought nationality into it by raising the fact that Moshiri is Iranian and mistakenly that Usmanov was Russian. Nationality has nothing to do with it. The issue is dirty money stolen from the Russian people and while there is evidence that Usmanov is guilty of such theft there is no evidence as far as I'm aware of Moshiri being guilty of it.

Moshiri has been an employee of Usmanov. But if it transpired that the salary your employer paid you was from the profits of their theft does that make you just as guilty as your employer?

No, the difference between their respective wealth is that Usmanov's money is his and Moshiri's belongs to Moshiri.

That mayor made a tough call. I understand why he did it but, at the same time, some Jewish leaders did that with Hitler, thinking it would prevent more bloodshed.

Surely we can only be days away from Chelsea being seized, and, at the very least, Finch Farm being taken by the government and temporarily shut down?

What's the difference between a yacht and a football team, if they paid for both out of Putin's money?

I want to see a little more about how Moshiri actually made his money because I have serious concerns. As Chairman of Usmanov's largest holding company and an apparent very close long-time relationship, it's hard for me to believe that Moshiri is not complicit in many of Usmanov's activities.

As long as they are fighting, we should do everything we can to support them, not advising them from our keyboards to surrender and then get absorbed by Russia.

They will become an oppressed people living under dictators for decades if not a lot longer.

He and Abramovich have been linked to Putin for decades, yet not a peep from anyone saying they should not be involved in Chelsea or, in Usmanov's case, be involved in Arsenal or Everton.

We now have that stupid Nadine Dorris suggesting in Parliament that our new ground should be seized; he is a sponsor not an owner like Abramovich. I would give her more credibility if she was saying that the peerage they gave to Evgeny Lebedev be rescinded and all the donations her party received from known Putin associates be returned.

I, like everybody else, am appalled at the actions of this deranged dictator, using force to invade a neighbouring peaceful country, and to see those brave valiant Ukrainians fighting so hard against overwhelming odds is truly inspiring and has the total admiration of the whole western world.

I also feel incredibly sad for the millions and millions of Russians who oppose this action like we all do. But Putin has threatened anybody on the street protesting against the war will be jailed for a minimum of 15 years.

So just think on that when you see ordinary Russians on the street protesting and what they stand to lose. They are also a very proud nation; sadly, they don't have the same democracy that we in the west have to remove despots like Putin.

I watched a programme on the BBC about World War 2 and it's estimated that Russia lost 8.6 million soldiers and in total 20 million Russians died fighting the Germans. When you put UK losses at 450,000 and USA losses at 291,000, it certainly puts things into perspective.

I wonder if Arsenal Football Club, should be seized too? After all, they allowed Usmanov and Moshiri to invest in their club a long time prior to Everton and they have spent the 'dirty money' from the sales of shares – not once but twice.

Should all the clubs that Everton have paid transfers to in the last 6 years be seized as well? Should all the players and managers we have employed during the last 6 years have their assets frozen?

Where does it stop?

This is the bitch who employed her daughter as ‘Office Manager' on £40k-45k a year in her job as an MP despite her daughter living 96 miles from the office.

How bad is Usmanov?

I know he's a billionaire with much of his business in Russia, but he also seems to have gotten rich in different ways to your stereotypical “oligarch”, whilst also doing numerous good deeds along the way and becoming one hell of a philanthropist. He knew Putin back in 2010, as I'm sure many other people did.

So what are his crimes? (Serious question, not meant to be patronising)

Also, it's not Putin's money per se. He gave these oligarchs opportunity and support, but he didn't give them their billions.

Michael #104, well said.

Kev #108, that's a problematic question. Many of these oligarchs accumulated their wealth through acquiring formerly USSR state-owned assets very cheaply in an infamous loans-for-share privatization scheme that involved.backroom deals, takeovers, corruption, bribes and the like.

However, none of it was illegal. There were no anti-corruption laws on the books in Russia. None. The first laws weren't passed until 2008, 17 years after the USSR collapsed. To be a criminal requires breaking the law, and there was no law to break.

As for Usmanov, he spent six years in prison in Uzbekistan in the 1980s for business theft of state USSR property. When Uzbekistan became independent, the conviction was vacated by their new Supreme Court. What Usmanov did subsequently to get super-rich was apparently not in violation of any existing laws in either country.

Exactly. Maybe Nadine can explain to Vitaliy Mykolenko that he is indirectly supporting Putin by taking money from an Oligarch. We will also have to sieze the entire continent of South America, most of Africa, and Asia as they all receive direct financial support from Putin's regime. Then as Stan pointed out there's Liverpool's sponsors Standard Chartered who profited from violating sanctions, all the people who sold 2 billion pounds worth of property to oligarchs in London, the 623 UK companies owned or part owned by oligarchs. Blimey by the time we seize all of that we will have quite empire.

"In August 2011, Dorries led the first delegation of Members of Parliament to Equatorial Guinea. It is a small African country, but the third-biggest oil producer on the continent, ruled since 1979 by President Teodoro Obiang Nguema. It has one of the worst human rights records on the continent. She met the Prime Minister of Equatorial Guinea, Ignacio Milam Tang. She has been quoted as saying to him: "We are here to dispel some of the myths about Equatorial Guinea and also with humility to offer you help to avoid the mistakes we have made." According to the official website of Equatorial Guinea, Dorries was one of nine MPs on the trip.

If the invading force is a standing professional army, resistance should surely be from a standing professional army. Ordinary citizens surely should not be encouraged to engage a professional military attack. If that's not encouraging ordinary folks to be suicidal, I don't know what is.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2007/nov/19/football.russia

No question Usmanov is an avid Putin supporter. He publicly attacked Putin's rival Navalny a couple of years before the poisoning attempt on Navalny's life.

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/may/24/i-spit-on-you-again-alisher-usmanov-video-alexei-navalny

On the other hand, he's also one of the most charitable people on earth, according to Forbes and others:

https://www.intellinews.com/billionaire-alisher-usmanov-leads-the-forbes-list-for-charitable-donations-in-russia-to-fight-coronavirus-181375/

So draw your own conclusions.

Perhaps, returning to the core issues would be helpful after the game of course. Or take a shot before, whatever.

You're one of the few to notice and mention that (Not on here but generally). There's an awful lot of theatre going on, mind.

"With all due respect to those arguing for due process I think this comes under a consideration of exigent circumstances and some seizure with a full legal review is on the table."

You're heading into really dangerous territory there. The US locked up ethnic Japanese people using a similar rationale in WWII in an act that has been widely condemned. Likewise, it is precisely the act and logic Putin himself has used to justify seizing assets from oligarchs in Russia. We gave sanctuary to a corrupt gangster oligarch Khodorkovsky after Putin seized his assets. Do we now want to employ the same methods? In a similar vein, one Kiev newspaper had a report yesterday that one of their special forces commanders had said they'd have a no-prisoners/execute the enemy policy for any captured Russian airmen as they were at this point viewed as genocidal terrorists. The suggestion was widely and rightfully condemned by other Ukranians. Obviously, that's much worse than your suggestion but it's the same kind of "ends justify the means" logic that sets precedents. In the UK specifically, we have a sorry history of locking up innocent Irish people when we adopted a similar mindset during "The Troubles."

The principle of that "Invitation" was the point, not the will of the people to fight.

Sorry about that mate. I could say the same about you. Have been scrolling all day, every time I see the name Dale.

Kieran looks to be willing to discuss diplomatically so take it easy that one is for me. ; )

This is better, isn't it?

Agreed on the point about Moshiri being an employee - point very much taken.

Not sure I agree with you on the nationality thing though - my Mother is Welsh and I lived there for 3 years as a 7-10yr old but my old man is English and I've lived the rest of my life in England (bar a few years in Asia). I feel English but l would describe myself as half Welsh so I think people can have dual nationality, and not just by passport.

By the way, I'm not complaining about anything, but simply raising an issue for discussion.

James@138: I live in Aberdeenshire, and originate from Liverpool. A local Scotsman once referred to me as an Englishman, to which I replied that I'm not an Englishman but a Scouser. He didn't argue with that.

How much every club has spent in the Premier League era...

Everton owner Farhad Moshiri severs business links with sanctioned billionaire Alisher Usmanov
By Tom Morgan, Sports News Correspondent ; Matt Law, Football News Correspondent and Mike McGrath 3 March 2022 • 5:37pm

Stan 142, I did read that I simply don't understand how being desperate enough to need your citizens to fight against a force like Russia can be criticized like they're fielding players that weren't declared on a pre-game roster submitted to the game officials.

I just don't get the purpose of your criticism of what they did under the circumstances.

I wouldn't infer too much from Moshiri seemingly distancing himself from his pal. I doubt if he's has told Usmanov to do one, they're just trying to keep Moshiri/Everton out of the clutch of the sanctions. We'll have to wait and see how it all unwinds. It can't end well for us, that's for sure.

There's also the possiblity that Moshiri will stay on board and that Usmanov had no involvement with Everton Football Club save to help Moshiri out with funds when the Iranian needed them. Moshiri may believe he is able to go solo with the project at this stage, and has put the club's interest first?

Who knows how things will pan out? I certainly don't.

Agree with your summary.

As to the likelihood of the vultures circling as a result of the loss of 20 million p.a. - then either the story is baseless speculation or Mr. U's involvement must be believed in certain circles, to be much more than 20 big ones.

"You'll Never See A Nipple In The Daily Express (1976)"

John Cooper Clarke