The Champions League returns to our screens on Tuesday night â and so will Gazprom, the Russian state-owned oil company which sponsors Manchester City’s opponents Red Star Belgrade
UEFA has been criticised for failing to prevent the appearance of a Russian state-owned oil company on the opening night of the Champions League.
Gazprom was dropped by UEFA as a sponsor in February 2022 following Russia ‘s invasion of Ukraine. The decision saw the energy company’s association with the Champions League end after 10 years â but Gazprom will still be present when the competition kicks off on Tuesday night.
Defending champions Manchester City host Red Star Belgrade â now known as Crvena Zvezda â at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday night. It is a significant match for Pep Guardiola and his players, who return to the competition following their maiden success in June, but it will also provide a prominent platform for Gazprom.
The Russian energy giant may have lost its long-running association with UEFA, but it will be on show as the front-of-shirt sponsor for Red Star. The Serbian side have been sponsored by Gazprom for over a decade and have given the company a timely PR boost by reaching the group stages of the Champions League for the first time since the 2019/20 season.