Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has written an open letter to Chelsea fans revealing that he has taken the decision to sell the club and use any net profits to set up a charity to help those hurt by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Abramovich, a Russian oligarch, is expected to have his assets frozen by the UK Government as a result of Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, which would likely include Chelsea Football Club, meaning that he would no longer be able to inject funds into the London outfit.
According to Matt Law, the generally reliable reporter from The Telegraph, a conglomerate of American billionaire Todd Boehly and Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss are expected to make a bid imminently.
As reported by @nicola_imfeld Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss is working with the American billionaire and part-owner of the LA Dodgers Todd Boehly on a bid to buy Chelsea. Official offer for the club expected to be made soon #cfc
— Matt Law (@Matt_Law_DT) March 2, 2022
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‘This is in the best interests of the club’
The full statement from the departing Chelsea owner read:
Statement from Roman Abramovich.
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) March 2, 2022
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.
Please know that this has been an incredibly difficult decision to make, and it pains me to part with the Club in this manner. However, I do believe this is in the best interest of the Club.
I hope that I will be able to visit Stamford Bridge one last time to say goodbye to all of you in person. It has been a privilege of a lifetime to be part of Chelsea FC and I am proud of all our joint achievements. Chelsea Football Club and its supporters will always be in my heart.
Thank you,
Roman’.
Though not explicitly severing ties with Vladimir Putin, whom he was known to have connections with previously, Abramovich’s description of the conflict as war is one which official Russian channels have avoided, and Chelsea themselves avoided in their previous statement.
His decision to set up a charity in order to help those affected by the conflict started by his former associate is seemingly a damning indictment of just where he stands on the situation.
