Under pressure, Abramovich puts Chelsea up for sale and promises to donate money to Ukrainians

Four days after handing over control of Chelsea to the trustees of the club’s charitable foundation, Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich announced on Wednesday that he would put the English team up for sale.

In a statement posted on the team’s website, the Russian says that the operation “will not be accelerated” and that the decision was taken in the “best interests of the club”. Since the beginning of Russia’s attacks against Ukraine on the 24th, the businessman has come under pressure from British public opinion for his strong connection with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“In the current situation, I have therefore taken the decision to sell the club, as I believe it is in the interests of the club, the fans, the employees, as well as the club’s sponsors and partners,” reads an excerpt from the official statement.

Abramovich also says that he will not ask for the repayment of loans made to the club and also donate all the net profit obtained from the sale of Chelsea to a foundation that will be created for the victims of the war in Ukraine.

After acquiring the London club in 2003, the billionaire has invested more than 2 billion pounds (R$ 13 billion) in almost 20 years.

“It was never about business or money for me, it was about pure passion for the game and the club,” he said.

In the period in which he was in charge of the London team, the team won the Champions League twice, took the last Club World Cup and had other important achievements.

The Russian’s fortune is estimated at 8.4 billion pounds (R$ 58 billion). In addition to his connection with Russian President Vladimir Putin, he is accused of having taken the opportunity to buy state-owned companies when the Soviet Union was dismantled, at below-market prices.

According to the newspaper “The Sun”, the billionaire would be banned from residing in England precisely because of his connection with the Putin government. The last time he entered the country, he reportedly used an Israeli visa, which guarantees a six-month stay on British soil.

Also according to the publication, security officials in the country would have been instructed to bar the Russian from entering, in addition to preventing any attempt by him to obtain English citizenship.

See Roman Abramovich’s full statement

I would like to address the media speculation in recent days regarding my ownership of Chelsea FC. As I have said before, I have always made decisions with the best interests of the Club in mind. In the current situation, I have therefore taken the decision to sell the club, as I believe it is in the interests of the Club, the fans, the employees, as well as the club’s sponsors and partners.

The sale of the club will not be accelerated, but will follow due process. I will not ask for any loan to be repaid. It was never about business or money for me, it was about pure passion for the game and the club. In addition, I instructed my team to create a charitable foundation where all net proceeds from the sale will be donated. The foundation will be for the benefit of all victims of the war in Ukraine. This includes providing essential funds for the urgent and immediate needs of victims, as well as supporting long-term recovery work.

Please know that this was an incredibly difficult decision to make, and it pains me to part with the club in this way. However, I believe this is in the best interest of the club.

I hope I can visit Stamford Bridge one last time to say goodbye to you all in person. It has been a privilege of a lifetime to be part of Chelsea FC and I am proud of all of our joint achievements. Chelsea Football Club and their fans will always be in my heart.