March 1 – Chelsea’s billionaire Russian owner Roman Abramovich has been asked by Ukraine to help broker peace with his country according to the oligarch’s official spokesperson.
“I can confirm that Roman Abramovich was contacted by the Ukrainian side for support in achieving a peaceful resolution, and that he has been trying to help ever since,” the spokesperson told Britain’s Press Association news agency.
“Considering what is at stake, we would ask for your understanding as to why we have not commented on neither the situation as such nor his involvement.”
Abramovich stepped back from day-to-day running of Chelsea last weekend but retains ownership of the club despite handing all decision making to its charitable foundation trustees, partly in order to save face and protect his investment.
Although there is no question of Chelsea being sold, there remain serious issues about Abramovich’s long-term future at the club and whether he will continue to fund it if it turns out he is sanctioned by the UK government.
Members of the charitable foundation met on Sunday but there is considerable speculation over to what extent they can run the club.
It would appear for the moment that nothing will significantly change off the pitch for Chelsea aside from Abramovich, who rarely speaks in public and has been conspicuous by his absence at most Chelsea matches since withdrawing a UK visa application in 2018, stepping back.
Abramovich has long been at pains to deny he is close to Russian president Vladimir Putin but their longstanding relationship is an open secret.
When Russia was awarded the 2018 World Cup, Putin cracked a joke at a press conference, suggesting his friend Abramovich would get some big World Cup-related contracts. In 2012, a UK high court said that Abramovich had “privileged access to Putin”.
Abramovich acquired Chelsea in 2003 for £140 million, ushering in the age of the super clubs, and has since reportedly loaned them a further £1.5 billion.
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1736550499labto1736550499ofdlr1736550499owedi1736550499sni@w1736550499ahsra1736550499w.wer1736550499dna1736550499