Chelsea Fans Across the Globe Panic As English Premier League Club Set to Be Seized Over Ukraine Crisis

Chelsea Fans Across the Globe Panic As English Premier League Club Set to Be Seized Over Ukraine Crisis

Babajide Orevba
updated at April 12, 2023 at 7:56 PM
  • Roman Abramovich is alleged to be one of the key enablers of the Putin administration as Russia invades Ukraine
  • The British government has been urged to take steps to seize all assets belonging to the Russian billionaire
  • Abramovich bought English Premier League team, Chelsea back in 2003, and the Stamford Bridge outfit could be affected

The British government has been advised to seize all assets belonging to Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, including Chelsea Football Club.

Labour MP Chris Bryant, in a statement during a House of Commons session, disclosed that he found a leaked document that says the entrepreneur should not be allowed to stay permanently in the UK.

It was gathered that the document showed that Abramovich, who bought the Stamford Bridge outfit in 2003 for £140 million was of interest to the government as at that time.

Roman Abramovich
Roman Abramovich could see his assets in the UK seized. Photo: Clive Mason
Source: Getty Images

This is due to his association with the Russian state and furthermore his public association with corrupt activity and practices.

The document, he said, cited court proceedings in which Abramovich admitted paying for political influence. Bryant added as per Sky Sports:

"That is nearly three years ago and yet remarkably little has been done in relation. Surely Mr Abramovich should no longer be able to own a football club in this country?
"Surely we should be looking at seizing some of his assets including his £152m home?"

The Prime Minister's spokesman said:

"I couldn't comment on individuals in that way or leaked documents of that type."

Abramovich barred from living in the UK

Meanwhile, Abramovich has been barred from living in Britain as he is named one of the key enablers of Vladimir Putin’s regime.

The 55-year-old has been effectively stopped from staying permanently in the UK again as reports also have it that he has not been seen at his Premier League club home for several months now.

The businessman had initially applied for a British Tier 1 investor visa but withdrew it in 2018 following delays in the application.

Immigration officials have now been ordered to ensure that Abramovich who owns a £125million mansion near Kensington Palace does get a permanent stay.

UEFA moves UCL final away from Russia

Sports Brief earlier reported that UEFA is set to move the 2022 Champions League final away from the Russian city, St. Petersburg, following the country’s military attack on neighbours Ukraine.

According to Spanish news outlet Marca, an extraordinary meeting of the UEFA executive committee has been called by President Alexander Ceferin.

The meeting will be held on Friday, February 25, to discuss the geopolitical crisis and possibly the change of venue of the 2022 Champions League final.

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Babajide Orevba photo
Babajide Orevba
Babajide Orevba is a CAF accredited Nigerian journalist and HOD of the Local Desk with over 10 years of experience in media landscape.He studied NCE Political Science/Social Studies, AOCOED.
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