Premier League has terminated its broadcast agreement with Russia’s television channel Okko sports in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of neighboring Ukraine.
The decision will take effect immediately, which means that none of Thursday’s four matches will be broadcast in the United States.
It took only 15 minutes of a four-hour conference in London on Tuesday for all 20 teams to agree on the topic.
The English Premier League has also announced a £1 million donation to help the people of Ukraine.
The Rambler Group owns the Premier League’s television rights. The business was nearing the end of a three-year contract to broadcast events in Russia.
The Football Association has also suspended its agreement with Russia in a separate step.
As a result, none of the FA Cup quarter-final matches scheduled for this month will be broadcast.
The Premier League has issued a statement condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and stating that its clubs have unanimously approved the move.
The Premier League issued a statement saying, “We appeal for peace and our sympathies are with all those affected.”
“The £1 million donation will go to the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC), which will give humanitarian help to people in need directly.”
The leaders of Premier League clubs wore special armbands in Ukrainian colors last weekend, while stadium screens displayed ‘Football Stands Together’ in front of the country’s blue and yellow flag.
It is thought that the pro-Ukraine branding seen surrounding last weekend’s events will not be repeated. Clubs, on the other hand, have been given permission to create their own response if they so desire.
The English Football League (EFL) has also announced that broadcast feeds of its fixtures in Russia have been halted.
“Echoing the views of the Premier League and other organizations around the world, the EFL remains deeply concerned by the ongoing conflict,” the EFL said in a statement.
“As has been demonstrated at EFL grounds around the country, ‘Football Stands Together’ with the people of Ukraine and all those impacted.”
Chinese rights holders did not broadcast Premier League matches in their nation last weekend, despite the fact that China is a close political friend of Russia.
In response to the Premier League’s announcement, Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston said it was “absolutely the right thing to do”.
He said in a statement: “We fully support the Premier League’s decision to stop broadcasting matches in Russia in response to Putin’s barbaric, senseless invasion of Ukraine.
“Russia cannot be allowed to legitimize its illegal war through sport and culture, and we must work together to ensure Putin remains a pariah on the international stage.”
Meanwhile, the Court of Arbitration for Sport said it had received an appeal by the Football Union of Russia against its ban from competitions.
On 28 February, Russian football clubs and national teams were suspended from all competitions “until further notice” by world football’s governing body Fifa and European governing body Uefa.
Ministers from 37 countries, on the other hand, have advocated for more international sporting sanctions against Russia and its partner Belarus.
Huddleston and Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries conducted a virtual meeting on 3 March, which resulted in a strong declaration.
France, Germany, Japan, Australia, Canada, and the United States are among the signatories.
