Roman Abramovich has officially made the decision to put his Chelsea FC up for sale. Russian billionaire says net proceeds from the sale of Chelsea will be donated for all victims of the war in Ukraine. Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss has claimed he’s been offered a chance to buy the club.
Abramovich took over the west London FC side back in June 2003 and his investments were key to much of the success the club has enjoyed since. Abramovich is owed £1.5billion by Chelsea after buying the club in a £140m deal in 2003 but says he will not ask for any of the loans to be repaid.
Since taking over, Chelsea has won a total of 19 major titles, including the Premier League, UEFA Champions League, both domestic trophies, the UEFA Super Cup, and very recently the FIFA Club World Cup.
Abramovich and Premier League, UEFA Champions League trophies of Chelsea
In a statement made on the official Chelsea website, the news confirming the Club’s sale was officially released.
The statement began as follows:
“I would like to address the speculation in media over the past few days in relation to my ownership of Chelsea FC”.
“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”.
Statement from Roman Abramovich.
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) March 2, 2022
Abramovich then goes into more detail on how the sale of the European champions will be carried out.
“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”.
“Moreover, I have instructed my team to set up a charitable foundation where all net proceeds from the sale will be donated. The foundation will be for the benefit of all victims of the war in Ukraine”.
“This includes providing critical funds towards the urgent and immediate needs of victims, as well as supporting the long-term work of recovery.”
“I can only think about Chelsea with Roman Abramovich”
“I can only think about Chelsea with Roman Abramovich”. Chelsea head coach Thomas Tuchel, speaking after Chelsea’s FA Cup win over Luton Town.
“It’s a bit too early to speak because I can only think about Chelsea with Roman Abramovich. So it’s very hard for me. It hasn’t sunk in yet that this is going to stop. It’s a massive change of course”.
“We did not talk about it [before the Luton match]. We did not talk about it, we accepted it”.
“I can’t imagine Chelsea without Roman,” said Tuchel
Kaveh Solhekol on Sky Sports News comments
“What’s changed? Russia have invaded Ukraine, the UK government have indicated they’re going to crack down on any Russian oligarchs who have assets in the UK who are associated with the Russian government or president Vladimir Putin“.
Abramovich is a “best friend”, has a good relationship with Putin, everyone knows.
“Labour MP Chris Bryant has used Parliamentary Privilege to read from a leaked Home Office document which he said stated Abramovich had been involved in corrupt practices”.
“He said yesterday in Parliament that Abramovich was terrified of sanctions, and was going to sell his house, apartment, and assets in London. Chelsea is his biggest asset – two weeks ago, before the Russian invasion, this would’ve been unthinkable – but because of what Vladimir Putin has done, he’s being forced essentially to sell Chelsea.”
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson (with the UK – Ukraine badge on his vest) is suspicious of Russian billionaires in the UK. Britain regularly impeded Abramovich’s entry when he flew to the UK.
To save Chelsea, Abramovich is forced to against his friend – Putin
