Sports

Roman Abramovich Breaks Silence on Chelsea Sale, Sanctions, and Future

Roman Abramovich Speaks Out for the First Time Since Chelsea Sale

Abramovich Opens Up Three Years After Chelsea Exit

Roman Abramovich, the former owner of Chelsea Football Club, has broken his silence for the first time in three years. In a rare public statement featured in Sanctioned: The Inside Story of the Sale of Chelsea FC by Nick Purewal, the Russian billionaire addressed his forced exit from the club and his ongoing dispute with the UK government.

Abramovich sold Chelsea in May 2022 to the Todd Boehly–Clearlake Capital consortium for £2.5 billion, following sanctions over his alleged ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Abramovich: “I Am Done with Football Ownership”

In the new book, Abramovich made it clear that he has no plans to return to club ownership or take any professional role in football.

“I don’t have any interest in any role in a football club, certainly not a professional role,” he said.
“There might be something where I could help with academies and youngsters… But as for ownership or a professional role at a club, I am done with that in this lifetime.”

The 58-year-old also expressed hope that he could one day return to Stamford Bridge to say a proper goodbye to the fans.

Sanctions and the £2.5 Billion Dispute

Abramovich’s sale of Chelsea resulted in £2.5 billion being held in a frozen UK bank account. The funds were meant to be donated to humanitarian causes supporting victims of the Ukraine conflict.

However, disagreements over where the money should go have stalled its release. While the UK government insists it should support Ukrainian war victims exclusively, Abramovich reportedly wants the funds to aid all victims of the conflict, including Russians.

UK Government Threatens Legal Action

UK Finance Minister Rachel Reeves and Foreign Secretary David Lammy recently expressed deep frustration over the stalemate. In a joint statement, they warned of potential legal action if an agreement isn’t reached soon.

“We are fully prepared to pursue this through the courts if required, to ensure people suffering in Ukraine can benefit from these proceeds as soon as possible.”

Abramovich on Accusations: “The Dogs Bark but the Caravan Moves”

Addressing the allegations against him, Abramovich shared a Russian proverb:

“There is an old Russian saying, ‘The dogs bark but the caravan keeps moving.’ That fits here. Whatever I do, people will always accuse me of some kind of agenda. In the end, I have done what I have done simply to try to help.”