The UK government on Thursday announced new sanctions against seven Russian oligarchs, including Chelsea club owner Roman Abramovich and his former business partner Oleg Deripaska, in retaliation for Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The Russian oligarch, who is trying by all means to sell Chelsea, finds himself in a very complicated situation.
The football club owner is facing an asset freeze, a ban on dealings with UK individuals and companies and a travel ban. In other words, the sale of the cub, decided by the Russian billionaire ten days ago, is purely and simply suspended.
“The asset freeze restrictions also apply to all entities owned or controlled by Roman Abramovich. This means Chelsea Football Club is now also subject to an asset freeze under UK financial sanctions,” the government said in a statement.
It indicates that “in view of the significant impact that today’s sanctions would have on Chelsea Football Club and their potential repercussions, the government this morning issued a license authorizing the continuation of a certain number of football-related activities at Chelsea…This includes permissions for the club to continue to play matches and other football-related activities, which in turn will protect the Premier League, the football pyramid in the sense wide, loyal supporters and other clubs”.
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In addition to the suspension of the sale of the club, the Blues will also no longer be able to market derivative products. More problematic still, Chelsea FC can no longer renew players or recruit new ones. The Russian owner is now simply authorized to pay the salaries of his employees.
More than 200 people sanctioned
“Today’s sanctions show once again that oligarchs and kleptocrats have no place in our economy or our society. With their close ties to Putin, they are complicit in his aggression,” Foreign Minister Liz Truss said in a statement of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
These sanctions are part of a series of retaliatory measures taken by the British government to affect the Russian economy. The UK has already sanctioned more than 200 of Russia’s most important individuals, entities and affiliates since the February 24 invasion of Ukraine.
Source: News Agencies