Chelsea FC’s owner Roman Abramovich announced on Wednesday, 02 March, that he would be selling the famed club and donating the proceeds to victims of the Ukraine war.
The Russian billionaire has decided that it is in the “best interest” of the Champions League holders if he sold the club, which he purchased in 2003.
“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,” Abramovich indicated on a statement released via the club’s website.
There has been intense speculation around whether the 55-year-old would retain his ownership of the club following Russia’s attack on Ukraine.
According to News24, the British government have not placed any sanctions on the billionaire as of yet, who is said to be a close friend of Russian President Vladimir Putin, but it is believed that he is concerned regarding the matter of a potential seizing of assets, which is said to have sparked the sale.
“The sale of the club will not be fast-tracked but will follow due process,” Abramovich said.
“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.”
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