China cancels Premier League coverage due to Ukraine support amid Russia attacks

Premier League fixtures will not be shown in China this weekend after it announced plans to show solidarity with Ukraine.

Top-flight clubs will observe a moment of reflection ahead of kick-off and captains will wear special blue and yellow armbands, representing the colours of the Ukrainian flag.

Billboards and screens will also bear the message 'Football Stands Together' as the English game voices its opposition to Russian president Vladimir Putin 's invasion of Ukraine last Thursday.

In a statement confirming its extraordinary measures, the Premier League wrote: "The Premier League and our clubs wholeheartedly reject Russia's actions and will be showing support for the people of Ukraine at all matches this weekend.

"We call for peace and our thoughts are with all those who have been impacted."

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In response, China - a close political ally of Russia's - has told Premier League chiefs it will not broadcast this weekend's games, including the Manchester derby on Sunday.

The East Asian nation has denounced the economic sanctions imposed on Russia by the United Kingdom and European Union while also blaming the United States of America for provoking Putin.

Rights to show the English top-flight in China are held by streaming platform iQiyi Sports, who agreed a four-year deal last July.

The agreement with iQiyi was agreed after the collapse of the Premier League's partnership with PPTV, which had been their largest overseas television contract.

The £564million deal fell apart after PPTV failed to make their first payment of £160million in March 2020, although the Premier League has since been guaranteed a huge payout which is yet to be paid.

This latest move by iQiyi comes as a fresh blow from China for Premier League chief executive Richard Masters, and the streaming service may yet decide to withhold money owed as part of the deal.

This is not the first time a Chinese company has blocked the broadcast of overseas sport, as China Central Television stopped airing the National Basketball Association after an executive tweeted their support for pro-democracy protestors in Hong Kong in October 2019.

This decision is believed to have cost the NBA $100millions and coverage of the division only recommenced recently, with players now prevented from voicing support for Hong Kong or the Uyghur Muslim population, which China is accused of committing crimes against humanity against.

It remains to be seen whether the Premier League will stand firm with its current stance on showing support for Ukraine if faced with vast financial losses.

Wolves are expected to take part in this weekend's gestures despite being owned by a Chinese company, Fosun International.