As per a statement from the UK government, Chelsea will be given a special license to continue to "fulfil its fixtures and carry out football business."
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Russian oligarch and Chelsea football club owner Roman Abramovich faced sanctions in the United Kingdom, amid the Ukraine-Russia conflict, which includes assets freeze and travel bans. The sanctions derailed Abramovich’s ‘incredibly difficult’ decision to sell the Premier League club while pledging that proceeds would go to victims of the war in Ukraine. “I have always taken decisions with the club’s best interest at heart,” Abramovich had said in a statement.
“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.”
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UK prime minister Boris Johnson clarified that ‘there cannot be any safe havens’ for those who supported the Russian invasion. The sanctions will prohibit Abramovich from “transactions with UK individuals and businesses,” the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office said in a statement Thursday.
According to a statement from the UK government, the Premier League giants will be given a special license to continue to “fulfil its fixtures and carry out football business” — including the payment of players and club staff — but certain actions will not be permitted which includes buying and selling new players, selling tickets for games, beyond those already sold to fans.
The statement also mentioned that spectators will be allowed to buy food and drink at these matches and under the sanctions, third party retailers who bought or produced club merchandise prior to Thursday, will be allowed to sell their existing stocks as long as no money is given to Chelsea.
The Chelsea Supporters’ Trust — a non-profit independent trust set up to encourage the club’s board — will take into account the interests of all supporters.
“Supporters MUST be involved in any conversation regarding ongoing impacts on the club and its global fan base,” the trust said in a statement.
“The CST implores the Government to conduct a swift process to minimise the uncertainty over Chelsea’s future, for supporters and for supporters to be given a golden share as part of a sale of the club.”
The sanctions, furthermore, has also made the club shirt sponsors Three — the mobile phone and telecommunications company — review their relationship with the club.
However, according to British media reports, the government might consider allowing Abramovich to apply for a special licence to sell the club, providing he can prove he would not benefit from the sale.
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