Everton news: Kieran Maguire issues ‘huge’ claim after ‘unusual’ Alisher Usmanov twist
Alisher Usmanov’s level of influence at Everton is “unusual” but not unexpected given his “huge” sponsorship links to the club.
So says finance guru Kieran Maguire, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the ongoing controversy surrounding the Russian oligarch.
Vladimir Putin-linked Usmanov has been hit with sanctions by the United Kingdom in direct response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The Toffees have suspended all commercial tie-ins with the billionaire’s companies, as confirmed in a statement on Wednesday (2 March).
Usmanov’s USM and MegaFon firms sponsored the Finch Farm training base and women’s team respectively.
The billionaire also had first refusal on a naming rights deal at the Toffees’ under-construction Bramley More Dock stadium.
In a new twist, The Telegraph reported on Tuesday (1 March) that Usmanov had been on the Zoom call when Frank Lampard was interviewed for the manager’s job in January.
Maguire cited Usmanov’s close ties with majority owner Farhad Moshiri as he analysed the oligarch’s influence at Goodison Park.
“It is unusual,” he told Football Insider‘s Adam Williams.
“But as we know, Moshiri and Usmanov go back a long way. I think it is indicative of that historic relationship.
“It makes sense that his contribution would be considered even though he’s a sponsor rather than an owner.
“It’s in keeping with the huge links we have seen in terms of sponsorship, with the Finch Farm deal and the deal at the new stadium.“
Everton have also announced this week that they will ditch front-of-shirt sponsor Cazoo at the end of the season.
The decision is unrelated to Usmanov and the crisis in Ukraine.
In other news, pundit demands “10-game ban” for Chris Kavanagh after update on “horrific” Everton controversy.