Kieran Maguire: Man United have forced the Premier League’s hand as £41m deal terminated
The Premier League have suspended their Russian TV deal because of the precedent set by clubs like Man United.
That is the view of finance guru Kieran Maguire, speaking exclusively to Football Insider about the league’s response to the crisis in Ukraine.
The Premier League announced on Tuesday (8 March) that it had voted unanimously to suspend its TV deal in Russia.
The Sun reported last Friday (4 March) that the package was worth £41million over its six-year lifespan.
United terminated their global partnership with state-owned Russian Aeroflot on 27 February, several months before the deal was set to expire.
Maguire claims that such action meant that the top flight was effectively forced to call time on the TV deal.
“I’m not surprised, and I think it will have been supported pretty universally,” he told Football Insider‘s Adam Williams.
“This is with the possible exception of Chelsea, but even they might have got behind it because sometimes you pick up the vibe in these sort of situations.
“Given that the likes United have terminated arrangements with Russia, it would have been inconsistent had the league chosen a different approach.
“While club owners get a very hard time from fans at times, they do have consciences, and it was the right decision to make.”
The Premier League has also donated £1m to support the people of Ukraine.
United themselves have officially condemned the Kremlin’s invasion.
In other news, pundit tells Man United star Scott McTominay how to save career after Roy Keane shredding.