Tech company Parimatch have become the latest sponsors to suspend their partnership with Chelsea after owner Roman Abramovich was sanctioned by the UK government.
The Russian oligarch was punished by Boris Johnson and his colleagues for allegedly having ties with Vladimir Putin, who is currently waging a bloody war in neighbouring Ukraine. Abramovich has always denied links to Putin's regime.
Parimatch have protested against Russia's invasion of Ukraine from the outset. They've used their advertising space at Premier League games to post anti-war messages and have donated 60million Ukrainian hryvnia - around £1.54m - to the invaded nation.
Company chiefs Roman Syrotian and Maksym Liashko are also Ukrainian. Parimatch only signed a three-year sponsorship deal with Chelsea last August, yet their branding is no longer visible on the club's website.
"After considering the situation, we have decided to pause all joint marketing and brand campaigns with the Club featuring the Parimatch logo and brand," read a Parimatch statement.
“Together with our licensed partner in Great Britain, we have agreed to use the LED display systems at Stamford Bridge exclusively for the promotion of our volunteering and donation activities to help Ukraine, which Chelsea FC are supportive of."
Three, Zapp and Hyundai have also suspended their partnerships with the Blues since Abramovich was sanctioned, yet Nike and Trivago are honouring their deals.
Three's branding is still visible on Chelsea's kit, despite the company's request for it to be removed. The club are not allowed to print anymore shirts due to the special license given to them by the government as a result of Abramovich's sanctions. Talks are said to be ongoing between Chelsea and Nike to find a resolution to Three's request.
Abramovich has put Chelsea up for sale, although the government would have to approve a deal as a result of the sanctions. There are thought to be nine serious bidders interested in taking over the European champions in the coming weeks.
The Raine Group are overseeing the transaction and have set a deadline of Friday for all bids. There is interest from Olympic legend Sebastian Coe and Tory donor Nick Candy, as well as US sports owners from the Chicago Cubs, LA Dodgers and New York Jets.
At least six bids are expected to be made before a preferred candidate is confirmed. It's unclear how long the process will take and how exhaustive it will be, with delays threatening the financial stability of the club.
Chelsea are currently third in the Premier League, nine points clear of Manchester United in fifth with a game in hand. They reached the quarter-finals of the Champions League on Wednesday evening with a 4-1 aggregate win against Lille.
Chelsea have won two trophies this season - the Club World Cup and UEFA Super Cup - and have reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup. They lost the EFL Cup final to Liverpool on penalties.
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