Russian billionaire Abramovich to sell Chelsea FC
Roman Abramovich has confirmed that he plans to sell Chelsea F.C.
The decision by the Russian oligarch comes after the imminent threat of sanctions due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Abramovich has been accused of close ties with Vladimir Putin.
Abramovich addressed his plans in a statement released on football club’s website
“I would like to address the speculation in media over the past few days in relation to my ownership of Chelsea FC,” it read. “As I have stated before, I have always taken decisions with the club’s best interest at heart.
“In the current situation, I have therefore taken the decision to sell the club, as I believe this is in the best interest of the club, the fans, the employees, as well as the club’s sponsors and partners.
“The sale of the club will not be fast-tracked but will follow due process. I will not be asking for any loans to be repaid. This has never been about business nor money for me, but about pure passion for the game and club.”
Although Abramovich has consistently denied any ties with the Russian president, British Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer has publicly appealed to the British government to impose sanctions on the club owner.
The owner of the football club since 2003 is pressured to sell owing to the possibility that Chelsea could be seized as an asset. Abramovich has stressed that net proceeds from the sales will be donated to the victims of the unfortunate war in Ukraine.
