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Roman Abramovich sanctions: Chelsea sale can go ahead as long as Russian owner doesn't profit

Chelsea owner, Roman Abramovich

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has been sanctioned by the UK government, halting the Russian from selling the club.

Abramovich announced on March 2 that he intended to sell Chelsea, in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
However, the new measures put in place by the UK government block any such sale from going ahead.

Chelsea have since been given a sporting licence to continue trading while Abramovich's assets have been frozen, but the restrictions still have huge implications on the London-based club.

The new license is designed to help Chelsea continue operating and competing in sport, but stops the club from selling any new tickets, as well as freezing all merchandise and barring any new contract negotiations.
With ticket sales stopped, only season ticket holders will be allowed to attend games that were yet to go on sale.
The sanctions of course throw Chelsea's long-term future into doubt, but government ministers insist that any damage caused to the club will be limited.
Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries said on Twitter: "Our priority is to hold those who have enabled the Putin regime to account.
"Today's sanctions obviously have a direct impact on Chelsea and its fans. We have been working hard to ensure the club & the national game are not unnecessarily harmed by these important sanctions.
"To ensure the club can continue to compete and operate we are issuing a special licence 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 of the club.
"I know this brings some uncertainty, but the Government will work with the league and clubs to keep football being played while ensuring sanctions hit those intended. Football clubs are cultural assets and the bedrock of our communities. We're committed to protecting them."
An official government statement added: "Given the significant impact that today's sanctions would have on Chelsea football club and the potential knock on effects of this, the Government has this morning published a licence which authorises a number of football-related activities to continue at Chelsea.
"This includes permissions for the club to continue playing matches and other football related activity which will in turn protect the Premier League, the wider football pyramid, loyal fans and other clubs."
Following the announcement of the sanctions, the UK government also revealed that the license is "under constant review", and that communication with football authorities are ongoing.

Abramovich was one of eight individuals named on the sanction list, which Prime Minister Boris Johnson says is designed to punish "those who have supported Putin's vicious assault on Ukraine."

With fans likely to be affected through the stopping of ticket sales, the Chelsea Supporters Trust have called for fans to be fully included in discussions over the licensing and sanctions going forward.
They took to Twitter to release a statement: "The CST notes with concern the Government's statement regarding the owner," the group said in a post on its official Twitter page.
"Supporters must be involved in any conversation regarding ongoing impacts on the club and its global fan base.
"The CST implores the Government to conduct a swift process to minimise the uncertainty over Chelsea's future, for supporters and for supporters to be given a golden share as part of a sale of the club."

Chelsea sale can go ahead as long as Abramovich doesn't profit

Johnson released a further statement on the sanctions of Russia, and insists the UK government are "open" to the sale of Chelsea, provided that Russian owner Abramovich doesn't profit.

A host of parties have already shown interest in potentially buying the club, with MMA star Conor McGregor teasing of a bid through social media.
Boris Johnson's spokesperson said: "We are now talking to Chelsea Football Club and those conversations will continue. It would be part of those discussions the terms of any specific licence that's granted to allow any sale to proceed.
"The important thing is under no circumstances would any sale allow Roman Abramovich to profit from that or take any money from that sale.
"It's fair to say the Government is open to the sale of the club but currently it would require another licence and that would require further conversation with the Treasury and other departments."
As mentioned by the Prime Minister, if the club's sale is allowed, then The Treasury would have to grant a new license for the club, barring Abramovich from claiming any profit.

Tuchel remains happy at club

Thomas Tuchel insists he is happy to remain the Chelsea manager but admitted the 'situation will not go away'.

On the pitch, however, a 3-1 win was secured at Norwich by the men while the women's side beat West Ham by a 4-1 score on Thursday night.
"The situation will not go away, maybe tomorrow it will change again but it will not go away," Tuchel said.
"I am still happy to be here and still happy to be manager of a strong team. I know there is a lot of noise around.
"I don't have another answer for you. Relief would mean we struggle with all the information and news out there. It is a big change from yesterday to today. At the moment it seems on the football side it is almost protected.
"I feel privileged to have the chance to be involved in games, coaching and football that I love."

Read more: 'Noise' not as difficult as some think, says Thomas Tuchel

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