Russia’s Usmanov steps aside as world fencing chief after just four days

Russian oligarch Alisher Usmanov has stepped aside as president of the International Fencing Federation (FIE), just four days after being elected to the role amid furore from Ukraine, Russian media reported Wednesday.

Usmanov, an ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin, was elected to lead the body at an FIE congress on Saturday, despite him being under Western sanctions and facing criticism from Kyiv.

“After his unconditional victory, Alisher Usmanov… notified the FIE’s executive committee of the voluntary suspension of his powers,” Usmanov’s representative was quoted as saying by Russian state news agencies.

His representative said the move was aimed at avoiding “legally untenable sanctions imposed against him being extended to the FIE and its activities”, without providing detail.

The 71-year-old businessman had led the body from 2008 until 2022, when he was placed under EU sanctions over his ties to Putin in the wake of the Ukraine offensive.

Emmanuel Katsiadakis acted as interim president when Usmanov stood down.

The re-election of Usmanov drew criticism from Ukraine, which said it was “outraged” by the news.

“Alisher Usmanov is an oligarch close to the Russian dictator, subject to international sanctions,” Ukraine’s Sports Minister Matviy Bidny said on social media.

“His return to a leadership position in international sports is a direct affront to the values of humanity and sportsmanship, as well as to Ukrainians who are being tortured and killed by Russian occupiers.”