Bidzina Ivanishvili, the former prime minister of Georgia, has committed to donating £8.4 million to the Georgian national football team following their stunning 2-0 victory over Portugal in Gelsenkirchen during Euro 2024. Managed by former French defender Willy Sagnol, Georgia's win secured their place in the tournament's last-16 stage, where they are set to face Spain.
Ivanishvili, who founded Georgia's ruling Georgian Dream political party and served as prime minister from 2012, described the triumph over Portugal as a "historic and dream victory." The 68-year-old billionaire announced that he would further donate £8.4 million (30 million Georgian Lari) to the team and coaching staff should they manage to defeat Spain in their upcoming match.
Born in Georgia, Ivanishvili amassed his wealth primarily through investments in banking, computers, and metals in Russia during the 1990s. Forbes estimates his current net worth at approximately £3.87 billion. The donations will be facilitated through Ivanishvili's charitable foundation, as confirmed by the Georgian Dream party.
Despite resigning from the prime ministerial post after a year, Ivanishvili remains influential within Georgia's ruling party as its honorary chairman. Earlier in April, several members of Georgia's Euro 2024 squad publicly criticized the Georgian Dream party following the introduction of a controversial "foreign agents" law in parliament. The legislation, enacted in June, triggered significant protests in Georgia, with critics arguing it posed threats to civil liberties.
Competing in their maiden European Championship appearance, Georgia is scheduled to face Spain in Cologne on Sunday at 8 pm BST.
