March 3 – Russian oligarch Alisher Usmanov, a former Arsenal shareholder and who is linked to Everton via sponsorships and its chairman Farhad Moshiri, has stepped down as president of the International Fencing Federation (FIE).
Usmanov is one of the oligarchs who has had economic sanctions imposed on him by the EU for his alleged ties to Russian president Vladimir Putin. A travel ban also prevents him from entering or travelling through EU countries.
Usmanov was elected for his fourth terms as FIE president last year. insidethegames has previously calculated that he donated around CHF80 million (£65 million) to fencing’s world governing body over the course of three Olympic cycles to 2020.
Usmanov said in a statement: “On 28 February 2022 I became the target of restrictive measures imposed by the European Union,” a statement from Usmanov read.
“I believe that such a decision is unfair, and the reasons employed to justify the sanctions are a set of false and defamatory allegations damaging my honor (sic), dignity, and business reputation.
“I will use all legal means to protect my honour and reputation.”
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