Early last week, veteran defender Sergio Ramos officially announced his departure from Sevilla FC, marking the end of a significant chapter in his storied career. In a heartfelt statement, Ramos explained that he leaves after achieving his goals of paying tribute to Antonio Puerta and Jose Antonio Reyes, and reconnecting with the Sevilla fans. “In life, you have to know when to say goodbye and close chapters,” Ramos stated during a press conference, emphasizing that his decision was driven by family and personal reasons.
Sergio Ramos is widely regarded as one of football’s all-time greats. His illustrious career includes winning four UEFA Champions League titles and five La Liga titles with Real Madrid, as well as 180 caps for Spain, contributing to their victories in the 2010 FIFA World Cup and the 2008 and 2012 European Championships. Despite Sevilla’s efforts to retain him with an offer of a lifetime contract, Ramos chose to move on.
As Ramos considers his next move, he has several lucrative offers on the table, including a notable proposal from MLS expansion side San Diego FC. While some may view MLS as a “retirement league,” the addition of players like Ramos can bring valuable experience and skill, enhancing the league’s competitive edge and marketability. Furthermore, offers from Saudi Arabian clubs underscore the global demand for his talent. Despite these enticing opportunities, Ramos has not yet committed to any club, leaving fans and pundits eagerly awaiting his decision.
In his farewell, Ramos expressed gratitude to the Sevilla fans and the club president, Jose Maria del Nido Carrasco, for their support during a challenging season. Del Nido Carrasco, in turn, praised Ramos for his leadership and commitment, stating: “This is not a goodbye, but a see you later.” As Ramos embarks on the next phase of his career, his legacy at Sevilla and his impact on world football remain indelible. His departure represents a substantial loss for Sevilla, a club already grappling with financial and administrative challenges, further highlighting the need for stability and strong leadership within the organization.
777 Partners – Down and Out
Sevilla FC is in turmoil after on-field and internal governance strife. The club’s current president, Jose Maria del Nido Carrasco, is struggling with day-to-day issues – tensions which stem from his own family circumstances – especially with his father, the former president of the club, Jose Maria del Nido Benavente. He tried to regain control by partnering with an American group – 777 Partners which controls around 10% of the Andalusian club.
777 became a shareholder of Sevilla in 2019, as reported by Muchodeporte, by acquiring a stake in the club’s holding company, Sevillistas de Nervion. Since then, there has been noticeable controversy and animosity from the fans, who largely disapprove of an American entity being involved in the club’s administration.
Recently, the assets of 777 Partners were frozen due to their accumulated debts. This decision was made by the Southern District Court of New York, which has also prevented movements in other teams such as Everton and Standard Liege.
The uncertainty of 777 Partners’ financial future has long been called into question – even to the extent that whether the player salaries could be paid or whether such instability could result in the long-term operability of the club in Seville.
Amidst these challenges, rumours swirl with reports suggesting that the initial purchase of 777’s stake in Sevilla was financed by a loan of around $10 million from international businessman Oleg Boiko, thus, making him an indirect investor. Difficulties in repaying the loan have led Boiko to demand foreclosure on the collateralised shares.
Investor Oleg Boiko Emerges
Billionaire investor and businessman Oleg Boiko is worth about $1.2 billion according to Forbes. He is behind Finstar Financial Group, a global financial group of companies that has a portfolio of diversified investments and manages approximately $2 billion in assets.
Boiko is widely known for his charitable activities in the field of international sports, including the support of Paralympic athletes. He founded a charitable organization that aimed to help fund the training and competition of athletes with disabilities on a global scale.
Oleg Boiko was commissioned on the Development Committee for the International Wheelchair and Amputee Sports Federation (IWAS) by the IWAS General Assembly in 2015. Furthermore, he has been recognized for his leading role in the organization of the IWAS World Games 2015 and his ongoing work to further grow and develop the international Paralympic movement.
Oleg Boiko has also played his part as an investor in the movie industry. He made his way to Hollywood 13 years ago, financing such projects as ‘Sin City 2’ and Scarlett Johansson’s directorial debut ‘Summer Crossing.’
In 2022, Ukraine, Canada, and Australia sanctioned Oleg Boiko. Canada ended sanctions in 2023 on the admittance that there were no ties between Boiko and the Russian authorities. Efforts are now being made in the legal sphere to challenge the sanctions imposed by Australia.
With all that’s been going on in terms of financial mismanagement at Sevilla, it’s no wonder that Oleg Boiko wants to get back the loan. Those in the know in the Boiko camp have indicated that his main ambition is to recover the money 777 Partners allegedly owes him, rather than directly involving himself in managing the club.
