The British government stopped any sale of Premier League side Chelsea, after the club’s Russian-Israeli owner Roman Abramovich was sanctioned on Thursday.
The European and world champions now they are effectively under control of the British government.
Abramovich, who it had been examined after that of Russia invasion of Ukraine, had announced he was selling the Premier League club last week.
Yet that process is now on hold, leaving the club classified by Forbes as the seventh in absolute valuable in world football at $ 3.2 billion, in a state of limbo.
The Russian bought West London team in 2003 for a declared figure of 140 million pounds (184 million dollars) and its investment contributed enormously to the most successful era in the team’S history like them won five Premier League titles, five FA Cups and the Champions League twice.
His purchase of the club helped transform the landscape of English football with Chelsea breaking the grip of Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool.
Abramovich had financed Chelsea via $ 1.97 billion in total loans through Fordstam Limited, the entity through which it owns the club.
In their most recent accounts in December, Chelsea who reported losses of $ 191.70 million, they said they were “employees on Fordstam Limited for continued financial support. “
Yet now there is a huge question mark over the club’S future.
Chelsea, Premier League and a spokesperson for Abramovich did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
A number of potential new the owners had emerged in the past week, including Swiss tycoon Hansjorg Wyss, Turkish billionaire Muhsin Bayrak and several Americans sports executives, but now there is a block on any sale.
A source close to Chelsea had told Reuters on Wednesday that the wait by club was that a deal would be made “sooner rather than later”.
Potential buyers will now have to wait to see how any possible legal recourse by Abramovich plays out and if there is any change in stance taken by the British government in the next few weeks and months.
Special license
Chelsea are now operating under a special government license, which allows some exemptions to the asset freezing restrictions, in order to allow west London club to fulfill his fixtures.
Chelsea, who And currently Third in the Premier League e in the last 16 of the Champions League, will be in able to do so play his games and pays his players and broadcasters will be authorized to do so show his matches on television.
Alone fans who to have already purchased tickets or who in possession of season tickets will be allowed to participate in matchesil government said while no new Merchandising sales will be permitted.
The club it will not be in able to enter into transfer agreements for new players or receive money for sell existing players – effectively a transfer ban.
however, the club will be able to continue to pay the salary of all employees, including yours playing And coaching personal.
British government Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries said that moves they aimed to “deprive Abramovich of benefiting from its property of the club. “
“I know this brings some uncertainty, but the government will work with the league and clubs to hold football be played while securing penalties hit those expected, ”Dorries said in a declaration.
“Soccer teams are cultural assets and the bedrock of our communities. We are committed to protecting them. “
Fans groupthe Chelsea Supporters Trust (CST), urged the government involve fans in future decisions over They club.
“The CST notes with concern the Government declaration in credit to the owner. The fans need to be involved in any conversation about impacts in course on the club and its global fan base, “they said in a declaration.
“The CST begs the government to conduct a swift process to minimize uncertainty over by Chelsea future, for supporters e for supporters to be given a gold share as a part of a sale of the club. “
