The war being waged by Russia in Ukraine is now having an impact on Chelsea FC.
Owner Roman Abramowitsch (55) gives up the management of the club with immediate effect!
In a statement on the club’s website, he wrote: “In the almost 20 years that I have owned Chelsea FC I have always seen my role as a protector of the club whose job it is to ensure we are today be as successful as possible and build for the future, while also playing a positive role in our communities. I’ve always made my decisions in the best interests of the club. I remain committed to these values. That is why today I am delegating the administration and oversight of Chelsea FC to the trustees of the Chelsea Charitable Foundation.”
It concluded: “I believe they are currently in the best position to look after the interests of the club, the players, the staff and the fans.”
Why the withdrawal?
Abramovich is said to have a close relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin (69). The oligarch could soon be sanctioned for Russia’s Ukraine war.
The English media had therefore already speculated heavily about the future of the owner in the past few days. According to the American media company “Bloomberg”, there had already been initial takeover offers to the club management.
Abramovich does not leave the club, but only gives up the lead. Possibly a trick to become unsuitable…
Chelsea’s sale could be the most expensive acquisition in football history. According to the business network “KPMG”, the club is worth around 1.9 billion euros.
For comparison: The Saudi Arabian state fund bought league rivals Newcastle United for just 360 million euros. Another purchase from the Italian top club Inter Milan is to be completed in the coming weeks and will cost around 900 million euros.
Abramovich bought the London club in 2003 for around 210 million euros. Since then, the club has spent over €2bn on transfers.
Great successes were also celebrated in sport. Since 2003, Chelsea have won the league five times, the Champions League twice (2012/2020), the Europa League twice (2013, 2019), a total of eight cup titles and the Club World Cup in 2022.
The current development hits Chelsea ahead of tomorrow’s League Cup final against Liverpool (Sunday 5:30pm).
Coach Thomas Tuchel had said: “The situation for me, my staff and the players is terrible.”