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Manchester United ends their sponsorship deal with Russia's airline
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FILE PIC: Manchester United's players celebrate after Swedish forward Anthony Elanga scored a goal during the UEFA Champions League football match between Atletico de Madrid and Manchester United at the Wanda Metropolitano stadium in Madrid on February 23, 2022. / AFP

FILE PIC: Manchester United's players celebrate after Swedish forward Anthony Elanga scored a goal during the UEFA Champions League football match between Atletico de Madrid and Manchester United at the Wanda Metropolitano stadium in Madrid on February 23, 2022. / AFP

English Premier League club Manchester United said Friday they had ended their sponsorship deal with Russia's flagship airline Aeroflot after President Vladimir Putin's decision to begin a military operation in of Ukraine.

The British government on Thursday imposed a biting package of sanctions on Moscow, which included banning Russian carriers from UK airspace.

Premier League club United announced Aeroflot as their  "official carrier" in 2013 and have regularly flown to European matches on the company's planes. The latest deal was due to run until 2023.

But the club, who used charter airline Titan Airways for their Champions League last-16 away leg against Atletico Madrid earlier this week, announced that they had severed ties with the airline.

"In light of events in Ukraine, we have withdrawn Aeroflot's sponsorship rights," United said in a statement.

"We share the concerns of our fans around the world and extend our sympathies to those affected.”

The Manchester United website had described Aeroflot as providing "strategic advice" on travel arrangements but a link to the relevant page no longer worked on Friday. The Aeroflot website still listed United on its list of partners.

(With input from agencies)

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