Europe’s and US sanctions on its international events Russiaseem like they don’t hurt a Russian billionairewith ties with President Vladimir Putin, who has a huge influence on one of the most famous sports in the world.
THE 71 -year -old Alisher USmanov, mines and telecommunications tycoon, was found at the helm of International Fencing Federation (FIE) for more than a decade Before leaving 2022 after sanctions For his bonds with the Kremlin.
However the strong man announced his candidacy to re -claim FI’s presidency At the end of last year, seeking to crush the reaction of Western states, Politico writes in his article.
Moscow critics say that Kremlin is trying to restore its public image by influencing sports agencies And pressing for the participation of Russian athletes in major events – he recruits to allies, from South America to Africa, to help play his mild power.
THE Osmanov’s shadow control in the world of fencing has now attracted the EU’s attention.
“Any person covers or benefits from the illegal Russian offensive war against Ukraine should not be allowed to possess office. It would be unacceptable whether international sports organizations undermine the EU sanctions status and thus threaten the international rule of law, “Politico tells Politico, Sports Commissioner Glenn Micallef.
“Banana tree”
In Oberbro, a small town in central Sweden that is famous for its huge medieval castle, The leaders of the Scandinavian fencing federations met to discuss the strategy in view of FI elections.
“We thought it was bad (to let Usmanov go down without an opponent), because it somehow shows around the world that we are not really interested in his relationship with Putin about the war in Ukraine,” he said. President of the Norwegian Fencing Federation.
‘It was important for people to learn that The world of fencing is not united behind Usmanov“, He stressed.
The Swedish Fencing Federation attempted to challenge the validity of Usmanov’s candidacy in Fie, By arguing, inter alia, that, as it is subject to a travel ban, it could not have completed its duties and should be excluded from the elections.
The Swedes also received from the Swiss Ministry of Finance Legal Advice, which warned of “significant risks” to FI in the event of a re -election of Usmanov.
“The freezing of assets and the prohibition on the disposal of funds apply not only to those who have been imposed, but also to organizations that belong to or – directly or indirectly – are controlled by them,” a spokesman for the sanctions department said.
However, FIE Temporary President Emmanuel Katsiadakis He rejected Sweden’s complaint, writing in a letter that Usmanov’s candidacy “It does not conflict with any provision of the Code of Conduct of the FI or the Code of Conduct of the ILO “, regardless of” the sanctions that apply to him at present “.
Scandinavian federations – Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Iceland – With the support of Baltic countries suggested an alternative candidate for the presidency of FI: Otto Drakenberga former Olympian fencing from Sweden and president of the country’s fencing federation.
It was the first time Usmanov would have been an opponent since 2008.
“Who would like to have elections in his country with a single candidate? This leads us to think about bananas, “Drakenberg said, explaining his decision to run against the Russian billionaire.
«Sugar daddy»
Drakenberg was natural to become the next white knight of fencing.
The Swedish businessman had already become known after one Excerpt from his speech at a Fie conference in Lausanne in 2022 he went viral. There, she stepped up to argue against the granting of a license in Saudi Arabia to host a teens fencing championship due to her sad human rights history – and drowned by the hearing and voices of the audience.
“We have built our organization for the last 16 years to a large extent in the finances of a single person and the donations of a single person – our President,” Drakenberg said. “Having a president we also depend on financially … This is not good governance,” he said.
During his term at the steering wheel of FI, Usmanov – The net value of which is estimated by Bloomberg at about 16.7 billion euros – He was personally funding the Federation, issuing checks of tens of millions of Swiss francs.
A unique donation from Usmanov € 5.3 million in 2020 represented 93% of the federation’s revenue that year, according to a FI financial report.
A spokesman for the Russian tycoon told Politico: ‘When you love something, you are willing to dedicate your resources and energy to it – this is the essence of love. ”
“Usmanov is deeply respected by FIE members not only for his significant financial contributions – which, undoubtedly, played an important role in expanding the organization’s potential before sanctions – but also because of excellent performance, “the spokesman added.
At the same time, he has invested funds in fencing through his charity “for the future of fencing”, supporting the development of traditionally focused on Europe’s sport, especially in African countries.
‘We have a Sugar Daddy’said the Finnish head of fencing Juna Lutinen. “Sugar Daddy pays for all the fun. But Sugar Daddy is not going to be there forever. At some point, the money will stop flowing, “he said.
Usmanov stopped his donations to FI after sanctions, as evidenced by the federation’s financial reports for the years 2022, 2023 and 2024.