Abramovich Rules Out Buying Another Football Club After Chelsea

Roman Abramovich, the former Chelsea owner, has broken his silence three years after selling the club amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

In a recent interview featured in Nick Purewal’s book, “Sanctioned: The Inside Story of the Sale of Chea FC,” Abramovich stated that he has no interest in buying another football club.

Abramovich, who purchased Chelsea in 2003 for £140 million, was forced to sell the club in May 2022 to the Todd Boehly-Clearlake Capital consortium for £2.5 billion due to UK government sanctions stemming from allegations of his ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The proceeds from the sale were frozen in a UK bank account, intended for charities supporting war victims in Ukraine.

“I don’t have any interest in any role in a football club, certainly not a professional role”, Abramovich said.

“There might be something where I could help with academies and youngsters, giving greater opportunities to people from difficult backgrounds, if there were an initiative that could make a difference.

“But as for ownership or a professional role at a club, I am done with that in this lifetime.”

Abramovich also expressed his desire to return to Stamford Bridge one day to bid farewell to the fans.

“Perhaps one day there would be a situation where I could attend a match and say a proper goodbye, but nothing more than that.”

The billionaire remained resolute in the face of accusations, including those from the UK government. “There is an old Russian saying, ‘The dogs bark but the caravan keeps moving,’ and that fits here. Whatever I do, people will always accuse me of some kind of agenda. In the end, I have done what I have done simply to try to help.”

However, Abramovich’s plans to donate the £2.5 billion proceeds from the sale have been met with resistance from the UK government.

Finance Minister Rachel Reeves and Foreign Minister David Lammy recently threatened legal action, stating that they are “frustrated” by the lack of agreement over the funds’ distribution.

The UK government wants the funds directed towards humanitarian purposes in Ukraine, while Abramovich insists they be used for all conflict victims, including those in Russia.

“The government is determined to see the proceeds from the sale of Chelsea Football Club reach humanitarian causes in Ukraine,” Reeves and Lammy said.

“We are deeply frustrated that it has not been possible to reach agreement on this with Mr. Abramovich so far. While the door for negotiations will remain open, we are fully prepared to pursue this through the courts if required, to ensure people suffering in Ukraine can benefit from these proceeds as soon as possible.”

During his tenure as Chelsea owner, Abramovich led the club to 21 major trophies, including two Champions League titles and five Premier League trophies.

VANGUARD