After 19 years it’s over
Abramovich says goodbye to Chelsea
03/02/2022 8:51 p.m
Nothing is set yet, but Russian oligarch Abramovich bids farewell to his club from Stamford Bridge. It is uncertain whether he will return to the stadium. The Ukraine war forces the sale. It is currently unclear who the Champions League winner will go to. The price seems high.
Roman Abramovich chose emotional words for his forced departure from London. He wanted to see Stamford Bridge one last time, said the longtime club boss of Chelsea when he announced the sale of the traditional club after 19 years. But whether he will be able to visit the stadium again is an open question – because Russian oligarchs are having an increasingly difficult time in football too.
The 55-year-old Abramovich quickly became the focus of attention after Russia’s attack on neighboring Ukraine. He was considered one of numerous oligarchs and companies facing sanctions in Great Britain. In the evening he gave up with a heavy heart. “It was the honor of my life to be part of Chelsea FC,” he said. With any proceeds from the sale, he will support the victims of the war in Ukraine.
Before that, the pressure had increased almost every hour. The Swiss billionaire Hansjörg Wyss reported in an interview with “Blick” that he and three other people had received an offer to acquire the Champions League winner, for whom national players Kai Havertz, Antonio Rüdiger and Timo Werner are currently playing.
“Oligarchs are panicking”
“He wants to get rid of Chelsea quickly,” said Wyss. “Like all other oligarchs, he is in a panic.” Because the very rich Russians face sanctions that go to the beloved fortune. A proposal has already been made in the English Parliament to freeze Abramovich’s accounts.
Abramovich, who is said to be close to Russian President Vladimir Putin, is not yet on the EU sanctions list. Unlike some others whose money has already flowed into European football.
Affected is Alisher Usmanov, estimated fortune 14.3 billion US dollars, Putin confidante and previously financial supporter of Everton FC. The former shareholder of Arsenal FC has already felt the first consequences, at least in sporting terms. Everton have announced they will immediately suspend commercial sponsorship deals with companies in which the 68-year-old has significant stakes.
Usmanow sees his reputation destroyed
Usmanow resigned his office as President of the World Fencing Federation FIE until further notice. In his statement on the association’s website, he described the EU sanctions imposed on him as “unfair” and spoke of “false and defamatory allegations” that destroyed his honor, dignity and professional reputation.
So far there has been less turmoil about the French first division club AS Monaco, the club of national player Kevin Volland and U21 European champion Isamil Jakobs. There Dimitri Rybolowlew pulls the strings as president. The 55-year-old clashed with the Monegasque judiciary in 2018. Corrupt machinations in the context of an art scandal were the allegations.
Wyss, meanwhile, is considering buying Chelsea. But: “Abramovich is currently asking far too much,” said the 86-year-old. Chelsea “owe him £2 billion in debt” but have no money. “Meaning: Those who buy Chelsea should compensate Abramovich.”
For Chelsea’s team manager Thomas Tuchel, the owner discussion meanwhile has no influence on the daily work, the Chelsea coach claimed, and asked several times to stop questions about Ukraine. He has never experienced war, “I feel bad talking about it alone because I’m very privileged and I’m sitting here in peace.”