The International Fencing Federation (FIE) has voted in Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov - currently under sanction by the European Union, the US, and the UK - to return as its president.
Usmanov, who made his fortune through metal and mining operations, was first elected to the governing body’s presidency in 2008 but stood down in March 2022 - after four consecutive election victories - as a result of being sanctioned by the EU following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February of that year.
Amongst the sanctions (which have been challenged in court) is an EU travel ban - meaning Usmanov cannot at present visit the headquarters of the FIE in Switzerland. The ban applies to 38 countries in total, 37 of which are FIE members. Indeed, given the FIE is a Swiss organization, it may find itself having to explain to the country’s authorities why a sanctioned individual has been elected to the presidency.
Since 2022, Greece’s Emmanuel Katsiadakis has served as interim president.
Now, however, Usmanov (who has previously been the largest shareholder at English soccer heavyweights Arsenal, and has also been heavily involved with fellow Premier League side Everton) is back in at the helm of the FIE, despite the sanctions against him remaining in place.
He secured 120 votes in an election at the FIE’s congress over the weekend, enough for a significant majority, having originally been nominated by 103. The congress took place in Uzbekistan, where Usmanov was originally born, and his sole opponent was Otto Drakenberg.
His last election, in November 2021, saw the former competitive fencer re-elected unopposed, by acclamation.
In a statement, 71-year-old Usmanov said: “As is well known, I am still subject to unjustified restrictions, which I am currently challenging in court. In this regard, I declare that I have always acted in the best interests of the FIE and will continue to take all necessary measures to prevent the legally unfounded restrictions imposed on me being extended to the FIE and its activities.”
Usmanov has effectively bankrolled the FIE during his time in charge - his personal contributions in 2020, for example, amounted to 93% of the federation's entire annual income.
Bloomberg’s Billionaires Index puts Usmanov’s wealth at around $14.4 billion.
While the FEI did ban Russian and Belarusian athletes from international competitions immediately following the invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, it was then one of the first federations to lift that sanction.
