According to Sky Sports, Usmanov now sanctioned:
Usmanov hit by sanctions
The European Council have confirmed that Everton investor Alisher Usmanov has been hit by its latest round of sanctions in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Usmanov is currently a co‑owner of Russia's second-largest mobile telephone operator MegaFon and owner of Udokan copper mine in the country.
In 2017, Usmanov's holding company USM entered into a naming rights deal for Everton's Finch Farm training ground.
Usmanov is also president of the International Fencing Federation and a member of the International Olympic Committee's Olympic Channel Commission.
"Alisher Usmanov is pro-Kremlin oligarch with particularly close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin," the council said.
"He has been referred to as one of Vladimir Putin's favourite oligarchs. He is considered to be one of Russia's businessmen-officials, who were entrusted with servicing financial flows, but their positions depend on the will of the President.
"Mr Usmanov has reportedly fronted for President Putin and solved his business problems. According to FinCEN files he paid $6 million (£4.5m) to Vladimir Putin's influential adviser Valentin Yumashev.
"Dmitry Medvedev, the Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of Russia and former President and Prime Minister of Russia, benefited from the personal use of luxurious residences controlled by Mr Usmanov.
"Therefore he actively supported materially or financially Russian decision-makers responsible for the annexation of Crimea and the destabilisation of Ukraine."
On Everton's website, on a USM Holdings page, it says: "Aside from the naming and branding of the training ground, USM also benefit from a set of global marketing rights including presence on media interview backdrops, LED advertising at Goodison Park on matchdays, VIP hospitality and player access for brands within the group."
The EU Council's announcement also said: "Restrictive measures, which now apply to a total of 680 individuals and 53 entities, include an asset freeze and a prohibition from making funds available to the listed individuals and entities. In addition, a travel ban applicable to the listed persons prevents these from entering or transiting through EU territory."
High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell said: "With these additional sanctions, we are targeting all who are having a significant economic role in supporting Putin's regime, and benefit financially from the system. These sanctions will expose the wealth of Putin's elite.
"Those who enable the invasion of Ukraine will pay a price for their action."
