Chelsea's only Source of Revenue Revealed After Sanctions on Club Owner Roman Abramovic

• At the moment, Chelsea are primarily reliant on matchday revenue, including food and drinks, after club owner Roman Abramovic had his assets seized
• The freezing of Abamovic’s assets means Chelsea cannot sell further match tickets in what is a blow to the team
• The Blues could also lose as many as five players for free in the summer, whose contracts are running out

Chelsea has been reduced to relying on matchday revenue for the foreseeable future after club owner Roman Abramovic was sanctioned by the UK in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Abramovic was one of seven oligarchs who was slapped with the sanctions as his assets were frozen, effectively halting his plans to sell Chelsea.

The sanctions are also set to have significant ramifications on the day-to-day activities of Chelsea.

Because of the ruling, ticket sales, merchandise sales and player transfers are all set to be halted.

Chelsea can, however still fulfil their remaining fixtures of the season thanks to a special licence, but the club will have to cope without a large chunk of their fans as a result of the sanctions.

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Sunsport reports that season ticket holders will be allowed at Stamford Bridge for the foreseeable future, and it is from these fans that the club will have to get their revenue.

"To ensure the club can continue to compete and operate we are issuing a special licence,” a government statement read.

"That will allow fixtures to be fulfilled, staff to be paid and existing ticket holders to attend matches while, crucially, depriving Abramovich of benefiting from his ownership"

Blow to Chelsea

As a result of the sanctions, Chelsea looks set to lose a number of stars in the summer.

The likes of Cesar Azpilicueta, Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen all have their contracts expiring in the summer, and the Blues cannot renew their deals under the current circumstances.

Charly Musonda Jr will also depart at the end of the season when his contract expires.

Furthermore, the trip to Lille in the Champions League last 16 is in doubt as the club has been handed an expenditure limit of £20,000.