Heartbreak As Russian Billionaire Roman Abramovich Gives Out Stewardship of Chelsea Football Club

• Roman Abramovich has been barred from living in the UK after he was alleged to be a key enabler of the Vladimir Putin administration
• Russia President Putin has ordered a military invasion of Ukraine which has sparked uproar across the world
• There are calls on the UK government to seize all assets owned by Russian billionaire Abramovich, including Chelsea Football Club

Following the ongoing crisis in Ukraine, Russian businessman Roman Abramovich has handed the stewardship of Premier League side Chelsea to the club’s charitable foundation, The Athletic reports.

This comes after the British government was 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 at that time.

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And now as tensions in Ukraine continue to escalate, the Russian entrepreneur has announced that he has handed the stewardship of the club to Chelsea’s Charitable Foundation. He said via the club's website:

“During my nearly 20-year ownership of Chelsea FC, I have always viewed my role as a custodian of the club, whose job it is ensuring that we are as successful as we can be today, as well as build for the future, while also playing a positive role in our communities.

“I have always taken decisions with the club’s best interest at heart. I remain committed to these values.

“That is why I am today giving trustees of Chelsea’s charitable Foundation the stewardship and care of Chelsea FC.

“I believe that currently they are in the best position to look after the interests of the club, players, staff, and fans.”

The 55-year-old has maintained that he is not close to Kremin and has not done anything with could warrant the kind of punishments meted on him.

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Earlier, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson stated that the Chelsea owner already faced sanctions from the UK government.

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Sports Brief earlier reported that a number of investors around the world are said to be preparing takeover bids for English Premier League outfit Chelsea as Roman Abramovich’s future at the club remains questioned.

British Labour MP Chris Bryant had told the House of Commons that the Russian entrepreneur should be barred from living in the UK permanently.

The Chelsea owner Abramovich was named among the key enablers of Vladimir Putin’s administration as Russia invades Ukraine.