Adidas Ends Partnership With Russian Soccer Team ‘With Immediate Effect’

As more brands suspend involvement with Russia following the country’s invasion of Ukraine, sportswear giant Adidas has pledged to halt its partnership with the national soccer team “with immediate effect.”

The brand has partnered with the soccer union since 2008, sponsoring attire for both its men’s and women’s national teams.

This move came as soccer’s governing bodies, including FIFA and UEFA, joined the world in condemning Russia’s actions by banning them from participating in the sport. 

Bloomberg reported that earlier this week, all Russian teams—regardless of national or club status—would be suspended from participating in competitions, such as the World Cup, till further notice. 

In a related measure, as per Input, UEFA will be moving the finals of the Champions League, Europe’s premier footballing competition, from Saint Petersburg to Paris, France.

With Europe’s largest sports manufacturer taking a stance against the Russian invasion, perhaps this could pile on the pressure for calls to stop the war.

[via Input and Bloomberg, cover image via Photomall | Dreamstime.com]