EPL, EFL to cancel broadcast contracts in Russia

Top English leagues won't be broadcast in Russia soon. Press Association

Premier League, English Football League to cancel broadcast contracts in Russia

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 3/7/22

It was learned on Friday that Chinese Premier League broadcast partner IQIYI Sports planned to temporarily pull coverage of the English top flight due to the league's planned support of Ukraine amid the Russian invasion. China is a political ally of Russia.

The Premier League and other competitions are now on track to stop airing games in a different nation.

Per Tom Morgan of the Telegraph and Rob Dorsett of Sky Sports, among other outlets, the Premier League and the English Football League "have instructed their lawyers to begin the process of ending broadcast contracts in Russia." Morgan adds an announcement could come as soon as Tuesday, while Dorsett notes the Russian deal to air Premier League fixtures is worth around £6 million a year but that all English clubs are expected to support the decision.

Before each Premier League match played on Saturday and Sunday, supporters, players, managers, match officials and club staff members joined in "a moment of reflection and solidarity." Screens inside stadiums posted "Football Stands Together" banners across the Ukrainian flag, and club captains sported special armbands in support of Ukraine.

Premier League captains wear armbands in support of Ukraine this weekend. pic.twitter.com/4ylLdpkdAY
— B/R Football (@brfootball) March 5, 2022

UEFA and FIFA suspended Russian national teams and clubs from competitions last Monday and have since been joined by a handful of other sports organizations and governing bodies that have distanced themselves from the invading country. Many have also pulled away from Belarus, which has reportedly been a launch point for Russian military personnel and equipment entering Ukraine. The Russian Football Union announced this past Thursday it is appealing the UEFA and FIFA bans to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

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