Premier League games will not be broadcast in China over support for Ukraine

If the Premier League goes on with its plans to show solidarity with Ukraine over the invasion of the country by Russia, Chinese rights holders will not broadcast Premier League games in China from this weekend.

Recall that on February 24, the president of Russia, Vladimir Putin ordered the Russian military to invade Ukraine. Since then, the Russian military has been killing Ukrainian and destroying their properties in Ukraine.

Ahead of this weekend’s Premier League games, the league body said in a statement that the league “wholeheartedly rejects Russia’s actions”.

“We call for peace and our thoughts are with all those who have been impacted,” a statement from the league body read.

To show solidarity with war-torn Ukraine, the Premier League has planned that captains of all the clubs will wear special armbands in Ukrainian colors. More so, stadium screens across England will display ‘Football Stands Together’ in front of Ukraine’s blue and yellow flag during this weekend’s league games.

Also, ahead of this weekend’s Premier League games, the league body urged spectators to participate in “a moment of reflection and solidarity before kick-off at each game”.

While the league body is planning all these, the league’s Chinese rights holders told the league body that they would not broadcast Premier League games in China if the league body goes on with its plans according to BBC.

At the time of publishing this report, the Premier League was yet to make any official reaction concerning the reported threat from the Chinese rights holders.

The right holders decided to make the reported threat because China is a close ally of Russia which is currently invading Ukraine.

Below are the Premier League games that will take place this weekend March 5 and 6, 2022.

Saturday 5 March

1. Leicester v Leeds
2. Aston Villa v Southampton
3. Burnley v Chelsea
4. Newcastle v Brighton
5. Norwich v Brentford
6. Wolves v Crystal Palace
7. Liverpool v West Ham

Sunday 6 March

1. Watford v Arsenal
2. Man City v Man Utd

Thomas Tuchel insists he does not mind remaining Chelsea coach even though Roman Abramovich plans to sell the club

The manager of Chelsea, Thomas Tuchel has insisted that he has no problem remaining the club’s coach even though Roman Abramovich plans to sell the club.

Recall that the Russian billionaire had to put the club up for sale after he was pressured by critics to do so due to his alleged ties with his country’s president Vladimir Putin. He has placed a 3 billion pounds price tag on the club and has started receiving bids from various billionaires across Europe and America.

Coach Thomas Tuchel said: “I said many times that I love working in the Premier League, I love to be in England and feel the tradition and the love for sports in general and football in particular. It’s an amazing place to be.

“Chelsea is, for me, the perfect fit. I love to be here, I love everything about the club and hopefully, it continues.

“There is uncertainty, but isn’t there always for a football manager? I’m used to it on different levels. This is quite the level, I have to be honest, but I am positive and hope things will end well.”

Chelsea are scheduled to play their next Premier League game on Saturday, March 5. The match will kick off at 16:00.