Senators Owner Eugene Melnyk "wants people to boycott" major FIFA sponsors like Anheuser-Busch InBev until the '18 World Cup in Russia "is moved elsewhere," according to Bruce Garrioch of the OTTAWA SUN. Melnyk "doesn't like the fact Russian president Vladimir Putin invaded the Ukraine and wants people to send corporate sponsors a message." Melnyk, who is Chair of a group entitled Campaign Advisory Committee for United with Ukraine, said, "Major international sporting events such as the Olympics or FIFA's World Cup serve as powerful forces of global unity and peace, not conflict and war. To allow Russia to host the World Cup would fundamentally undermine the spirit of international sport and the stated core principles of every corporate sponsor who has chosen to align itself with such an irresponsible decision." United with Ukraine said that it "will continue to ask for people to boycott products until the sponsors put pressure on FIFA to move the tournament." Melnyk was born in Canada, but his parents were both from Ukraine and he has "always had close ties with the country" (OTTAWA SUN, 5/29). Melnyk said of the group's efforts, "It’s gaining traction as we speak. I think it will be impactful. This will be relentless. It will go on for as long as it takes. It’s well funded and very well organized and then you mix in the passion of the people involved" (OTTAWA CITIZEN, 5/29).
