Yad Vashem, Israel’s official Holocaust memorial and museum, has suspended ties with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich just weeks after his eight-figure donation.
Just weeks ago, the memorial had claimed that "a new long-term strategic partnership" had been struck with Abramovich after he became their second largest donor.
Earlier this month, Yad Vashem was embroiled in controversy after a report in the Washington Post claimed that it had attempted to pressurise the US not to sanction the Blues owner.
The West London club are desperate to secure a new owner amid a budget crisis, with their funds dictated by the British government in the wake of the sanctions imposed on Blues owner Roman Abramovich.
The billionaire has had his assets frozen in the UK in the wake of Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine, although he continues to deny any links to president Vladimir Putin.
Have Your Say! Do Chelsea face a player exodus this summer? Tell us what you think here.
On Saturday, the Premier League confirmed they had suspended Abramovich as director of the club.
The Blues are now operating under a special license - severely limiting their revenue streams - and shirt sponsors Three have suspended their partnership, worth £40million per annum.
Abramovich is now facing fresh EU sanctions on Monday while he has moved his private jet and relocated his yacht in recent days.
He has now had his ties with the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial suspended despite last month agreeing a “long-term strategic partnership” with them after an ‘eight-figure’ donation.
Yad Vashem’s website had last month claimed that the new partnership would fund research and contribute to new projects, including two new versions of the Book of Names.
The memorial’s spokesperson Simmy Allen said: "In light of recent developments, Yad Vashem has decided to suspend the strategic partnership with Mr. Roman Abramovich."
The recent report in the Washington Post claimed that Yad Vashem wrote a letter to U.S. Ambassador Tom Nides, asking for no sanctions against the Blues owner.
Yad Vashem chairman Dani Dayan is cited as saying: “Mr. Abramovich has contributed to worthy causes for more than a decade.
“As far as I know, Mr. Abramovich doesn’t have any links to Mr. Putin.”
Chelsea are desperate to secure new ownership as soon as possible as they continue to feel the impact of the UK government’s sanctions on Abramovich’s assets.
Barclays have also suspended the club's bank account and there's a possibility the Blues could face financial armageddon between now and the summer due to the precarious situation.
