Roman Abramovich has been sanctioned by the UK Government, freezing the Russian-Israeli billionaire's planned sale of Chelsea. The 55-year-old put Chelsea up for sale on March 2 in the wake of Russia's continued invasion of Ukraine.
Abramovich has owned Chelsea since 2003 and has always staunchly denied any current political links to Russia's ruling elite, but Boris Johnson's Government has now frozen all his UK assets. Chelsea will be given a special licence to continue operation, but the sale of the Stamford Bridge club is now on hold.
The shape of Chelsea's long-term future has naturally been thrown into doubt, but Government ministers were quick to insist any damage would be limited. It means Abramovich will not be able sell to Chelsea at the current time, nor will the club be able to sell matchday tickets - with just season ticket holders attending games. Newcastle United travel to Stamford Bridge for Sunday's Premier League match, but as all those tickets have already been sold, they will not be subject to the new sanctions.
