Everton Football Club has cut ties with its Russian sponsors, including USM, which is owned by oligarch Alisher Usmanov.
The Merseyside club have also severed ties with Megafon, which is Russia’s second-largest mobile operator and third-largest telecom operator and smartphone maker Yota.
“Everyone at Everton remains shocked and saddened by the appalling events unfolding in Ukraine,” the club said in a statement.
“This tragic situation must end as soon as possible and any further loss of life must be avoided.
“The players, coaching staff and everyone who works at Everton give their full support to our player Vitalii Mykolenko and his family and will continue to do so.”
Mykolenko joined Everton in the January transfer window from Dynamo Kyiv and shared a touching moment with his Ukrainian counterpart, Oleksandr Zinchenko ahead of their game against Manchester City.
On February 25, Manchester United dropped sponsorship rights from Russian airline Aeroflot.
Russian and Belarusian drivers banned from UK motorsport
Licensed Russian and Belarusian drivers have been banned from motorsport events in the UK.
Motorsport UK has announced sanctions after the International Olympic Committee recommended athletes from Belarus and Russia be banned or asked to compete under a neutral flag.
David Richards, Chairman of Motorsport UK, and the organisation’s Board of Directors, said: “The entire Motorsport UK community condemns Russia’s and Belarus’ acts of war in Ukraine and expresses its solidarity and its support for all those affected by the ongoing conflict.
The Sochi Autodrom in Russia has been on the F1 calendar since 2014
“We stand in solidarity with the Ukrainian people and the motorsport community after the invasion and the unacceptable actions that have taken place.
“Now is the time for the international motorsport community to take action and show its support for the people of Ukraine and our colleagues in the Automobile Federation of Ukraine (FAU).”
Ukraine ‘foils assassination attempt’ on Zelensky – follow the latest updates
Motorsport UK is the national governing body for four-wheeled motorsport in the UK, representing 720 affiliated clubs and 30,000 licensees.
The body organizes the British Grand Prix at Silverstone, the Rally of Great Britain and the British Rally Championship.
Main developments in the Ukrainian crisis:
Haas driver banned from Silverstone
Formula 1 has already canceled the 2022 Russian Grand Prix and expressed his “sadness and shock” at the invasion of Ukraine.
Mazepin will not be able to participate in the British Grand Prix in July. Peak AP
The Russian driver ban means Formula 1 driver Nikita Mazepin will be banned from racing at Silverstone for Haas on July 3.
On Tuesday, it looked likely that Mazepin would be allowed to compete in F1 this season after the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) confirmed Russian and Belarusian drivers could race under a neutral flag.
But Mr Richards, along with the board, has confirmed he will not be able to race in the UK.
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Fifa and UEFA banned Russia from international and club competitions following the invasion of Ukraine.
According to Motorsport UK’s statement, the decision was made in full consultation with the UK government.
Mr Richards added: “It is our duty to use whatever influence and leverage we may have to stop this totally unwarranted invasion of Ukraine. We encourage the motorsport community and our colleagues around the world to fully adopt the recommendations of the International Olympic Committee and do everything we can to end this war.”
“Motorsport UK stands united with FAU President Leonid Kostyuchenko, the Ukrainian motorsport community and the people of Ukraine and calls for an end to violence through a peaceful resolution.”
New sports sanctions for Russian athletes
On Wednesday, the International Paralympic Committee announced that any Russian and Belarusian athlete wishing to participate must compete under a neutral flag at the Paralympic Games in Beijing.
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Russia had already been stripped of UEFA Champions League final in May, which was moved from St. Petersburg to Paris last week.
Several national football associations, including the English FA, have said they will not face Russia in any matches for the foreseeable future.
In tennis, Russian and Belarusian tennis players, including top ranked Daniil Medvedev, who is Russian, can play on the ATP and WTA tours, but without national flags, and at Grand Slam tournaments.
On Tuesday night, Ukrainian tennis player Elina Svitolina beat Russian Anastasia Potapova at the Monterrey Open in Mexico.
Svitolina initially refused to play her opening match against Potapova, but continued after Potapova was forced to play under a neutral flag.
“Today was a very special match for me. I’m in a very sad mood, but I’m happy to play tennis here,” said the former world number three.
“I was focused. I was on a mission for my country. From the start, it was important to be ready for whatever came my way.”
The former world number 3, who played wearing the blue and gold colors of Ukraine, added: “I think it’s my mission to unite our tennis community to support Ukraine, to help the Ukraine because what we are going through is a horrible thing for all Ukrainians.
In Lyon, fellow Ukrainian Dayana Yastremska collapsed on the pitch after beating Romania’s Ana Bogdan in the WTA 250 tournament.
The 21-year-old and her younger sister had spent two nights in an underground car park last week before their parents sent them from Ukraine by boat to Romania and then safely to France.
