Chelsea should bring in billions
Abramovich renews promise of donations
5/5/2022, 8:56 p.m
Roman Abramovich has been the owner of Chelsea for two decades. During this time, the Russian pumps billions of pounds into the club, in the end there is success – and separation. The oligarch is sentenced to sell his club. He wants to donate the billions in proceeds, assures Abramovich.
Still owner Roman Abramovich has countered speculation that he would benefit from the sale of English Premier League club Chelsea. The Russian billionaire said through a spokesman for the football club that the intention to donate the proceeds from the sale to charity has not changed. “Since the initial announcement, Mr. Abramovich’s team has identified senior officials from UN bodies and major global charities who have been tasked with establishing a foundation and preparing a roadmap for their activities,” the statement said. Abramovich himself was not involved.
At the same time, the Russian spokesman said it was wrong that he had asked for a loan to be repaid or that he had increased the price for the dethroned Champions League winner at the last minute. “However, as part of Mr Abramovich’s goal of finding a good trustee for Chelsea FC, he has encouraged every bidder to invest in the club throughout the process – including in the academy, the women’s team, the necessary refurbishment of the stadium and the maintenance of the work of the Chelsea Foundation,” it said.
The British government had imposed sanctions against Abramovich in the course of Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine and frozen his assets. “Following sanctions and other restrictions imposed by the UK on Mr Abramovich since the club’s sale announcement, the loan is also subject to EU sanctions which require additional approvals,” the spokesman said. And further: “To be clear, Mr. Abramovich has no access or control over these funds and will have no access or control over these funds after the sale.”