Bidzina Ivanishvili, the former prime minister of Georgia, has committed to donating £8.4 million to the Georgian national football team following their notable 2-0 victory over Portugal in Gelsenkirchen during Euro 2024. Managed by former French defender Willy Sagnol, the team’s triumph secured their place in the last-16 stage, where they are set to face Spain.
Ivanishvili, founder of Georgia’s ruling Georgian Dream party and prime minister from 2012, described the win against Portugal as a “historic and dream victory.” He has pledged an additional £8.4 million (30 million Georgian Lari) to be donated to the team and coaching staff should they also defeat Spain.
Born in Georgia and building his wealth in Russia during the 1990s through investments in banking, computers, and metals, Ivanishvili’s fortune is estimated by Forbes to be approximately £3.87 billion. The donations will be sourced from his charitable foundation, as confirmed by the Georgian Dream party.
Despite resigning from the prime ministerial post after a tenure of just 12 months, Ivanishvili remains influential within the ruling party, serving as its honorary chairman. Earlier this year, several players from Georgia’s Euro 2024 squad voiced opposition to the Georgian Dream party following the introduction of a “foreign agents” law, which prompted significant protests within the country.
Competing in their inaugural European Championship appearance, Georgia is scheduled to play against Spain in Cologne on Sunday at 8 pm BST.
