Premier League to discuss ending £43m Russian TV deal
![](https://cdn.classfmonline.com/imagelib/thumbs/20671143.jpg)
The Premier League will discuss whether it should end its £43m six-year deal with Russian broadcaster Match TV at this week's annual general meeting.
The previous deal with Rambler was suspended in March following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
That contract expired at the end of the season, with one for the 2022-23 campaign set to begin in August.
The Premier League's association with the gambling industry is also set to be discussed.
Half of the league's 20 clubs had betting firms on their shirts last season and a proposal to ban clubs from having betting sponsors was included in a draft white paper, sources told BBC Sport last month.
The Premier League has previously suggested self-regulation was the preferred way forward. On Tuesday, Wolves revealed global payment solutions provider AstroPay will replace international gaming company ManBetX as their main shirt sponsor next season.
Russian broadcast deal up for discussionWith no easing of the conflict in Ukraine, Premier League clubs must decide how to proceed on their Russian broadcast deal.
Match TV is owned by Gazprom Media, which is backed by the Russian government.
The length of the contract means it is more valuable than if it had just covered three years as is usually the case.
Under the circumstances, it is thought scrapping the deal altogether would be easier than suspending it, if the contractual position allows.
Busy fixture schedule before World CupMeanwhile, BBC Sport understands the new Premier League fixtures - announced on 16 June - are likely to include a mid-week round of matches that clash with the 1 September transfer deadline.
The World Cup in Qatar creates a calendar issue and the Premier League had already said the season would pause after Round 16 which will be played over 12 and 13 November.
With the opening round of fixtures taking place on 6 August and an international break at the end of September, there are only 14 weekend slots before the tournament.
With all six European group-stage matches also taking place before the World Cup and the EFL Cup third round on 8 November, there is one mid-week slot available in October where a round of Premier League games will be played.
There are four mid-week slots in August, but the first three are being used for Uefa club competition qualifiers - West Ham are involved in the Europa Conference League play-offs on 18 and 25 August.
The Premier League has opted to use the final one, with matches potentially being scheduled across three days for the benefit of TV.
Source: BBC
Trending Sports
SWAG unveils state-of-the-art secretariat in Accra
18:46Black Stars coach Otto Addo, 2 others survive road accident
14:40Another Haaland hat-trick and defenders beware - he's 'ready for more'
08:59Borussia Dortmund sends support to Otto Addo after accident
12:33Emotional Suarez announces Uruguay retirement
21:01Ghana fall to Austria in FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup opener
11:43Ballon d'Or nominee list: No Messi or Ronaldo for first time since 2003
00:49AFCON 2025 qualifiers: We’ve to show our quality – Partey ahead of Ghana, Angola clash today
09:05Olympic athlete Rebecca Cheptegei dies days after being set alight by ex-boyfriend
12:032025 AFCONQ: Black Stars is a balanced team – Angola coach Pedro Gonçalves says ahead of today's match
13:40