Roman Abramovich has been added to the UK sanctions list. It means his assets in the UK are frozen for now. Chelsea has been given a special license to continue all ‘football-related activities’, but at the same time there are serious consequences for the future of the club. Abramovich cannot sell Chelsea due to these sanctions. No players can be bought or sold, and it is also not possible to hand out new contracts. In addition, the Blues For the time being no more individual tickets – possibly also to away fans – are sold and the fan shop has to close, since no new turnover is allowed.
“Our priority is to stop those who have maintained Putin’s regime,” Nadine Dorries, UK Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, wrote on Twitter in response to Britain’s sanctions list, which included Abramovich the necessary other influential oil garches have been placed on it. “The sanctions clearly have a direct impact on Chelsea and its fans. We are working hard not to unnecessarily hit the club with these important sanctions.
“To ensure the club can continue to play, we are issuing a special license that allows Chelsea to continue to play, pay staff and continue to receive season ticket holders at matches. At the same time, we prevent Abramovich from taking advantage of Chelsea,” said Dorries. It means Chelsea can no longer sell single tickets for home games. “I know this brings uncertainty, but the government will do everything possible with the league and the clubs to ensure that football can continue. Football clubs are part of our culture and we are doing everything we can to protect them.”
Abramovich actually wanted to sell Chelsea before such measures were taken. The Russian owner of the Blues announced last week that he intended to sell the club. “The sale of the club will not be accelerated, but the proper process will be followed,” Abramovich wrote in an open letter on Chelsea’s website. “I will not ask for loan repayments.”
“For me, this was never about business or money, but about pure passion for football and Chelsea. In addition, I have instructed my team to establish a charitable foundation to which all net proceeds from the sale will be donated. The foundation is committed to all victims of the war in Ukraine,” said Abramovich. Chelsea can now only change hands if a special license is issued and in that case no money can go to Abramovich either directly or indirectly.