Alisher Usmanov, Russian billionaire of Uzbekistan origin, voluntarily suspended his role as president of the International Fencing Federation (FIE), his representative confirmed to Gazeta.uz.
“Following his overwhelming victory [at the recent FIE congress], Alisher Usmanov stated that, in the interests of the FIE, he would take necessary actions to prevent the unjust legal sanctions imposed on him from affecting the FIE and its activities. In this regard, he informed the FIE executive committee of his voluntary suspension. Everything must be resolved within the framework of law and justice,” the entrepreneur’s representative noted.
Alisher Usmanov was re-elected president of the FIE at the federation’s congress on 30 November held in Tashkent, securing 120 votes. His opponent, president of the Swedish Fencing Federation Otto Drakenberg, received 26 votes.
Usmanov had led the FIE since 2008 and was re-elected for another term in November 2021 as the only candidate. In March 2022, he suspended his duties due to EU sanctions imposed against him “until justice is restored”. Since then, Emmanuel Katsiadakis of Greece has served as acting president of the FIE.
