Dmitry Rybolovlev and Oleg Petrov. They are Russians and are the two current strong men of AS Monaco. The first has owned 66.7% of the club’s shares for ten years, in addition to being its president. The second holds the position of Vice President and General Manager. The Russia-Ukraine conflict necessarily raises the question of their future and that of ASM, like the concerns on the Chelsea side, with the forced withdrawal of Roman Abramovich.
Monegasques can nevertheless be reassured (for the moment), even if the Principality has already “adopted and implemented, without delay, procedures for freezing funds and economic sanctions identical to those taken by most European States”. Namely towards the Russian companies and oligarchs present on its territory.
Dmitri Rybolovlev is indeed not associated with Vladimir Putin’s entourage. He left Russia in 2010 and no longer has any business there.
The fact that the club is under Russian management may however disturb France in the medium term. Clubs might for example refuse to face ASM, even if the time is rather for support. “I have no problem meeting AS Monaco”, for example launched Christophe Galtier, the coach of OGC Nice. “We must bring support to the Ukrainian people, to Ukrainian athletes, and more specifically to footballers and coaches, but we cannot blame all people of Russian nationality.”
The internal situation will also have to be monitored. The position of Dmitri Rybolovlev, who is currently not worried by a potential freezing of his resources, is indeed not immune to a negative development.
