Manchester United’s £40 million sponsorship arrangement with Russian airline Aeroflot has been canceled. The action comes after United flew to Madrid with Titan Airways on Tuesday in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
‘In light of events in Ukraine, we have withdrawn Aeroflot’s sponsorship rights,’ a United spokesperson said.
“We share the concerns of our fans around the world and extend our sympathies to those affected”. The club had a long-running commercial agreement with the Russian company, which they first teamed up within 2013, but they have now broken ties.
United’s £40 million arrangement with Aeroflot has renewed in 2017 and was going to expire in 2023. Manchester United’s national airline, Aeroflot, flies to 146 destinations in 52 countries.
Aeroflot provided the club with travel and logistical support in addition to flying United’s stars across the world, but the club is now looking for a new flight partner, with Qatar Airways being one option.
United earned around £100 million from their nine-year partnership with Aeroflot.
Following the invasion, Prime Minister Boris Johnson placed a ban on Aeroflot operating in the UK on Thursday.
Other clubs, such as Schalke in Germany, are breaking their ties with Russian firms and Gazprom no longer sponsors them.
The Champions League’s sponsor is also Gazprom, and UEFA is under pressure to terminate ties with them. Since 2012, they have sponsored the competition and the Russian government mainly owns it.