China will pull their coverage of this weekend’s Premier League fixtures over the competition’s show of support for Ukraine.
The Premier League had announced that the upcoming games will include a pre-match moment of reflection, captains wearing special armbands, LED boards at pitch-side showing messages of support and television and social media branding in the colours of the Ukrainian flag.
The Athletic understands that the Premier League has been told by its Chinese rights holders that it will not broadcast any games between March 5-7.
iQIYI are the current Premier League rights holders in China.
The country has so far opposed sanctions on Russia, with the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin announcing on Monday: “China and Russia will continue to carry out normal trade cooperation in the spirit of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit.”
Several games in England have already seen public displays of support, including last Sunday’s Carabao Cup final, in which the Ukrainian flag and the message “Football Stands Together” was beamed onto the big screen pre-match.
(Photo: Jack Thomas – WWFC/Wolves via Getty Images)
