Ukrainian businessman and owner of Shakhter Rinat Akhmetov announced his exit from the media business. The decision is connected with the law on oligarchs.
“I have made a forced decision to withdraw my investment company SCM from the media business. This week, Media Group Ukraine will waive in favor of the state all broadcast and satellite television licenses of our channels and licenses of our print media in Ukraine. We will also terminate the activities of MSU online media .
This decision was dictated by the entry into force of the law “On the prevention of threats to national security associated with the excessive influence of persons with significant economic and political weight in public life (oligarchs)”. As the largest private investor in the Ukrainian economy, I have repeatedly said that I was not, am not and will not be an oligarch. The short six-month legal deadline for the sale of media assets and the Russian military aggression against Ukraine prevent SCM from selling its media business on market terms.
For more than 20 years, since 2000, together with journalists, we have created a media holding based on the principles of freedom of speech, truth and professionalism, consisting of 10 broadcast and satellite television channels, Internet resources, print media and modern production media. The total investment in this media holding exceeded 1.5 billion US dollars. But the biggest investment is the contribution of each of the 4,000 journalists and members of our media team. Thanks to your work, the channels “Ukraine” and “Ukraine 24” became leaders in terms of viewership, and the channels of the “Football” group gathered millions of fans in front of the screens. Therefore, it is difficult for me to make a decision to leave the media business.
I want to thank everyone for our common work and for our common success. And, of course, special thanks to each of our viewers and readers. Thank you for your love, for your loyalty. We have always worked only for you!”, – stated in the official statement.
Note that the “Media Group Ukraine” includes the channels “Football 1/2/3”, which show most of the matches of the Ukrainian championship.
Earlier in early June, Rinat Akhmetov will allocate 60 million hryvnia for the Ukrainian Championship
Shakhtar made an official statement: the owner of the club, Rinat Akhmetov, will allocate 60 million hryvnias for the launch of the next Ukrainian Championship. The proceeds will go to help clubs in the Premier League, League Two and children’s football projects.
“Today, Ukraine is going through difficult times. For more than 3 months there has been a war against Russia for our independence, for our cities, for our people, children, for our future. The war is going on at once on several fronts: military, economic, information, diplomatic. In this difficult time, it is important to be united, trust and help each other.
FC Shakhtar welcomes the intention of the UAF and Premier League clubs to hold the next championship of Ukraine. Due to the difficult economic situation in the country, not everyone can fully prepare for the championship. In this regard, the president of the club, Rinat Akhmetov, decided to support the Ukrainian championship, clubs of the First and Second Leagues, and children’s football projects in the amount of UAH 60 million.
The principle of solidarity is the basis of European football. Convinced, by helping, we become stronger and make our big friendly football family more united. In total, we will win!” the statement on the club’s website reads.
Recall that the next draw of the championship of Ukraine is planned to be launched in August. The format and venue are not yet known.
Photo: FC Shakhter Donetsk
