Oil and gas company Gazprom Neft has signed as the Official Fuel Partner of the Russian men’s football team and the Russian Football Union (RFU).
The official designation will apply specifically to Gazpromneft – the company’s network of petrol stations – during the qualifiers for the 2020 European Championship and the 2022 World Cup, the Uefa Nations League games in season 2020-21, as well as international friendly matches.
Gazpromneft-branded engine oils also receive the status of Official Engine Oils for the Russian national team and the RFU.
Alexander Dybal, member of the Gazprom Neft management board, said: “Sports sponsorship is an important tool in promoting retail brands of the Gazpromneft gas station network and our high-tech motor oils.
“Of course, the popularity of the national football team has become an important argument for deciding on a partnership with the Russian Football Union.
“In the very near future, we will begin to develop a joint project with the RFU on the development of domestic football in the regions where the company operates as part of our ‘Hometowns’ social investment programme.”
Gazprom Neft is the third-largest oil producer in Russia. It is a subsidiary of energy company Gazprom, which owns about 96 per cent of its shares.
Gazprombank, a privately-held bank, also part-owned by Gazprom, is the Official Bank of the Russian national football team.
The deal with Gazprom Neft runs concurrently with the RFU’s main partner agreement with gas supplier Novatek in the RFU’s sponsorship portfolio.