Abramovich breaks silence on Chelsea sale with return hint in rare statement
Former Chelsea boss Roman Abramovich wishes for a return to the club but has vowed never to own a football club again. The Russian oligarch was in situ for the most successful period in the Blues' history.
Having completed a takeover of the West London side in 2003, he oversaw five Premier League successes, five FA Cup wins and three League Cups wins. He also helped Chelsea end their long wait for a European crown in 2012, before adding a second Champions League title in 2021.
But Abramovich was forced to pull out of the club a year later having been sanctioned by the UK government following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Todd Boehly and Clearlake's consortium then sealed a £4.25bn takeover.
And speaking out on his exit, Abramovich has claimed he wants to return to Chelsea to bid farewell to the club having drawn a line under football ownership entirely. Speaking in a new book titled Sanctioned: The Inside Story of the Sale of Chelsea FC, he said: 'Perhaps one day there would be a situation where I could attend a match and say a proper goodbye, but nothing more than that," the Daily Mail report.
'I don't have any interest in any role in a football club, certainly not a professional role. There might be something where I could help with academies and youngsters, giving greater opportunities to people from difficult backgrounds, if there were an initiative that could make a difference. But as for ownership or a professional role at a club, I am done with that in this lifetime.'
Chelsea in race against time to beat FIFA Club World Cup deadline and seal TWO transfers
'I wore Chelsea's No. 9 before Liam Delap – friends and family laughed when I got it'
Following his sale of Chelsea, Abramovich was ordered to send £2.5bn of the proceeds to aid Ukraine. But as it stands, that amount remains in a UK bank account, with the government now threatening to sue the 58-year-old.
A joint statement from Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Foreign Secretary David Lammy read: "The government is determined to see the proceeds from the sale of Chelsea Football Club reach humanitarian causes in Ukraine, following Russia's illegal full-scale invasion.
"We are deeply frustrated that it has not been possible to reach agreement on this with Mr Abramovich so far. While the door for negotiations will remain open, we are fully prepared to pursue this through the courts if required, to ensure people suffering in Ukraine can benefit from these proceeds as soon as possible."
What is a success for Chelsea next season? Share your thoughts in the comments below
Abramovich commented on those accusations, giving them short shrift. 'There is an old Russian saying, 'The dogs bark but the caravan keeps moving,' and that fits here,' he also told the book's author, Nick Purewal.
'Whatever I do, people will always accuse me of some kind of agenda. In the end, I have done what I have done simply to try to help.'
Ex-Chelsea star John Obi Mikel recently revealed that Abramovich still harbours frustration over the circumstances of Chelsea's sale. Mikel said: 'It's just unfortunate what happened: he lost the football club. I still speak to people close to him and it still pains him. He's still angry about what happened.
'He's not happy that he lost his 'baby' because Chelsea Football Club was his football club. He really cared about the football club, not just the players but the fans.'
Join our new WhatsApp community and receive your daily dose of Mirror Football content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Times
an hour ago
- Times
The fanciest sport hospitality packages
The game hasn't even begun and I am already one charcuterie board, a platter of prawns, a gallon of sushi, a beef wellington and several beers deep. My football-watching career has started on a high. It was a Chelsea game in the box — a gift for my brothers' 40th (not from me — I'm a good sister but not that good). I left thinking I could watch the beautiful game more often. 'What was the score?' someone asked. 'Who cares? I had a cheeseboard at half-time!' You can fine-dine at almost all sports, from darts to the FA Cup final. Here is a list of luxury dining experiences at the biggest and best upcoming sports events. • This article contains affiliate links that can earn us revenue Now the Six Nations have been and gone, it's time to move on. Luckily for rugby fans, this year's Autumn Nations is ripe for booking. The series will see England battle it out with four of the most exhilarating southern hemisphere teams. It'll be a wild watch and there is no need to do it hungry — you know the players won't be. Fret not — if the burger vans don't tickle your finely tuned taste buds, the Allianz hospitality packages are here for you. 'Today's hospitality offerings go far beyond a simple meal and a seat. Guests are choosing packages based on the culinary style, the exclusivity of the setting, and the opportunity to engage with sporting legends, both past and present,' says Laura Jefferies, head of marketing at Twickenham Experience. The chef Tom Kerridge (who owns the only pub with two Michelin stars) will be cooking in the Lock restaurant during the Australia, New Zealand and Argentina games. Expect free-flowing fizz and a four-course English-inspired menu. The chef Ollie Dabbous — who has two Michelin stars — can be found creating culinary excellence for the Australia game in the East Wing restaurant. You'll be dining all day, from arrival appetisers to amuse-bouches to a four-course menu — with complimentary drinks. The same package will be available with the chef Tommy Banks — a judge on BBC's The Great British Menu — subbing in to steer the East Wing helm during the New Zealand game. 'On a single match day up to 45,000 plates of food are served within hospitality, with a team of 300 chefs across 41 kitchens and 2,250 hospitality staff, who each undergo training, to ensure the highest standards across every facility,' Jefferies says. Autumn Nations at Allianz Stadium is November 1-November 23. More information at and • Read more luxury reviews, advice and insights from our experts You could find yourself easily distracted at the races. If you don't have blinkered focus on the horses, your eyes may wander to the outfits and your nose may lead you to the food. Royal Ascot does not hold back when it comes to treating guests to gourmet cuisine — there are 29 Michelin stars shared between the chefs in residence — 'the most ever at Royal Ascot, or any sporting event globally,' according to Jonathan Parker, the managing director of 1711 by Ascot. Among the runners and riders are Raymond Blanc, who will mark his ten-year residency anniversary at Ascot, returning to the Panoramic Restaurant (which, as promised, serves its four courses overlooking panoramic views of the racecourse). Gazing at the horses in the parade ring is best done at the Parade Ring restaurant, where Simon Rogan will be presenting his five-course à la carte lunch. Lisa Goodwin-Allen, the Michelin-starred chef and winner of Great British Menu, returns for her second year at Royal Ascot, headlining the Queen Anne Enclosure's flagship restaurant, ON 5, which sits on the fifth floor and is glass-fronted to create the ideal view of the course. If you have been there, done that — you will likely want to do it again. But if you want to try the newbies on the Ascot block, the French chef Yannick Alléno is doing an alfresco pop-up with a small-plate concept that — given his 17 Michelin stars — is bound to be scrumptious. Likewise, Benoit Blin, the patisserie king, is also making his debut with a French-inspired afternoon tea — available in multiple restaurants and private boxes, everywhere short of the horses' stables. Royal Ascot runs June 17-21. These offerings are available for all guests but need to be booked well in advance; Test cricket may be as English as it gets. Free-flowing Pimm's, polite chitchat in the stands, intermittent sun bouncing off the players' whites. All in all, you're in for a lovely summer's day. Given that the match can last five days, it is more than justified to be entertained by other activities alongside the play. And what better activity is there than eating? 'At the Kia Oval our aim is to match the calibre of the cricket on the pitch with the fine dining we provide to the spectators,' says the director of operations, Alex Lewis. There is a myriad of casual-dining options spread all over the Oval grounds, including the fancy food truck Bob's Lobster serving lobster rolls at the Pommery Champagne bar on the concourse right next to the pavilion. But those seeking the classiest escapades will head to the Duchy Suite. The days starts here with a three-course gourmet lunch curated by the fabulous chef Ollie Dabbous. There's also a Pommery champagne reception, a brilliantly quirky afternoon tea — including Cacklebean egg mayo and cress sandwiches and canales cooked in beeswax — free-flowing complimentary drinks and, of course, padded seats on the Laker Balcony so you can plonk your well-fed self comfortably down as you buckle in for the long match head. Next chance to nab all that is the England v India Test, July 31-August 4. The Duchy Suite is £1,299 + VAT; The smell of burning rubber and highly tuned engines as the mighty cars go hell for leather up the track need not fill your nostrils at these races. Instead, your noses (and taste buds) can be redirected to the equally impressive food. With many hospitality packages to choose from, you could opt for a Lawn Garden party, the award-winning sustainable restaurant Farmer, Butcher, Chef, or the exclusive member-only clubhouse, the Kennels. For trackside viewing with gourmet dining, you have a few options. The Moss restaurant, named after Sir Stirling Moss — who not only had his first race at Goodwood but also won here more than any other driver — overlooks the starting straight. Clark is positioned on the famously dramatic Molecomb Corner with views of the hill climb from both inside the restaurant and the trackside balcony. And last but not least there is Goodwood's fine-dining experience at Surtees — named in honour of the only person to win world championships on both two and four wheels, John Surtees. Not only are the views of the action unparalleled, but the Michelin-starred chef Ollie Dabbous (who I'd hazard a guess at being a sports fan) will be preparing cuisine to match. The Surtees package includes unlimited drinks, a live DJ, VIP parking as well as a personalised concierge service. 'Whether it's a private paddock tour, a helicopter flight or photo moment on the balcony of Goodwood House, Surtees is the ultimate way to experience the Festival of Speed,' says Amy Yeates, the hospitality director at Goodwood. Goodwood Festival of Speed is July 10-13. The Surtees package is £2,100pp +VAT; Dating back to 1860, The Open is the oldest golf tournament in the world. It is also one of the most popular — so much so that tickets sell out almost instantly. Those for 2025 are sadly long gone. As are the hospitality packages, which included the silver-service fine-dining Engravers package — including breakfast, four-course à la carte lunch, complimentary bar and afternoon tea. Next year will approach in the blink of an eye — so it is best to start getting ahead of the game. The equivalent option on the 2026 line-up at Royal Birkdale would be the premium package. Although not silver-service, the experience holds its own. Guests get access to many wonderful restaurants — including Clarets, where you can dine on gourmet cuisine while looking out over the 17th green. The Retreat serves a charcuterie-style lunch overlooking the 7th green. Complimentary beverages will be served to guests in Clarets, the Retreat, the Platinum Lounge and Links, which all have top-class views of the top-class golf. The 154th Open at Royal Birkdale is July 12-19, 2026. Prices for the signature package start at £1,000 per person for the weekdays and £2,300 for the weekends; It wouldn't be the British summer time without Wimbledon. Dating back to 1868, this sporting spectacle is the oldest tennis tournament in existence. There is only one thing I can think of to improve this classic English event — fancy food. It's not all strawberries and cream. Whilst the talented players serve on the pitch, the equally talented chefs are serving off the court. For the snazziest of service, you are looking at Le Gavroche at The Lawn. Michelin star mastermind, Michel Roux, will be offering a five-course tasting Menu Exceptionnel with wine pairings, followed by the famous Le Gavroche Cheese Trolley and the Assiette du Chef (selection of five desserts). There will be a complimentary bar for continuous whistle wettening — whether it is with Vintage champagne or bespoke cocktails. Of course, that is just the beginning — this package includes seats with uninterrupted views of Centre Court, a private terrace and access to The Lawn's English-style garden with live music, a whisky and cigar bar as well as a huge outdoor screen so you don't have to miss out on a single second of action while having fun.
Daily Mirror
an hour ago
- Daily Mirror
Martin Zubimendi Arsenal transfer saga nears conclusion after bold move
Martin Zubimendi looks set to be Arsenal's first signing of the summer transfer window but there are a number of other deals the Gunners are hoping to complete to ensure they remain in the title race next season Arsenal are set to be one of the major players in the transfer window this summer, though fans are still awaiting the club's first signing as they bid to put a difficult 2024-25 season behind them. The Gunners are hard at work trying to lure a new striker to the Emirates after being left without a recognised No 9 for much of the Premier League season. Mikel Arteta 's side still managed to finish second but ended up 10 points behind Liverpool and also crashed out of the Champions League in the semi-finals. Arteta will need quality reinforcements if he wants to challenge Liverpool for the title again, while the pressure is on because rivals Chelsea and Manchester City have already strengthened. Arsenal are hoping to strengthen in every position if they can but a midfielder and striker are the priorities, with more room in the wage budget after sealing the exits of Jorginho and Kieran Tierney. Mirror Football has taken a look through all the biggest Arsenal transfer news and rumours. How Arsenal clinched Zubimendi deal Without doubt, Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi is Arsenal's primary focus as things stand, but fans have been sweating on the deal after the player's comments saying he was unsure about his future. There have also been reports from Spanish outlet Marca that Real Madrid are ready to swoop for Zubimendi and hijack Arsenal's deal. But despite the speculation, it's understood Arsenal have now struck a deal to sign Zubimendi by agreeing to pay £54m for his signature - which is £4m more than his release clause. According to the Athletic, Sociedad told Arsenal they wanted the deal to go through in July due to accounting reasons, while the Gunners have been negotiating over the structure of the deal - hoping to pay in instalments - which has added to the delay. As a compromise, Arsenal have now agreed to pay over the odds for Zubimendi in order to spread the cost over a couple of years. It's understood Real Madrid's interest was not a reason for delaying the deal and Arsenal are now happy with the outcome. Saliba contract could complicate Guehi move Another position Arsenal are keen to bolster is their backline after suffering a number of injuries in that position last season. Gabriel, Ben White and Riccardo Calafiori all struggled with fitness issues at various points and Arteta will need consistency at the back if his Arsenal side is to mount a serious challenge for silverware next season. While he will be eager to sign a new centre-back, the Spaniard is also desperate to keep hold of key defender William Saliba amid speculation he could join Real Madrid. The Gunners are hoping to tie Saliba down to a new contract, but that in itself could complicate any move to sign Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi. Arsenal walked away from a deal for Guehi last summer after reportedly being quoted £70m, but he now has just one year remaining on his contract. There could be difficulties attempting to lure Guehi to the Emirates, however, when the England international knows that Arsenal have two formidable defenders in Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes - which could mean a struggle for game time. The Athletic reports that Arteta is eager to add another centre-back to his ranks but with Guehi having interest from the likes of Tottenham, Newcastle and ex-club Chelsea, he may feel a move elsewhere would be best for his career. Marquinhos finally leaves Arsenal Arsenal have confirmed their latest outgoing deal with Brazilian forward Marquinhos moving permanently to Cruzeiro after being loaned out for a number of seasons. The 22-year-old joined Arsenal from Brazilian outfit Sao Paulo in 2022 and hopes were high for the youngster - but he failed to make an impact at the Emirates. Marquinhos' first and only season playing for the club came in the 2022-23 campaign, where he featured six times, and has since been loaned out to Norwich, Nantes, Fluminense and Cruizeiro. Cruzeiro have now opted to make that move permanent, bringing an end to his difficult spell. Arsenal had originally signed Marquinhos for around £3m after finding a loophole in his contract, angering Wolves - who had struck an agreement to bring him to Molineux. There were fears Wolves could take legal action against the player, Arsenal and Sao Paulo before the Molineux outfit opted not to go ahead with it.
Metro
3 hours ago
- Metro
Paul Scholes urges Man Utd to 'just buy' £68m England star during Senegal defeat
Paul Scholes urged Manchester United to 'just buy' Crystal Palace midfielder Eberechi Eze during England's 3-1 defeat to Senegal. Thomas Tuchel suffered his first loss as England manager as the Three Lions were booed off the pitch by supporters at The City Ground on Tuesday night. Eze was brought on as a second-half substitute in the 1-0 win against Andorra on Saturday but played a full 90 minutes in the defeat to Senegal and played a key role in the build-up to Harry Kane's early opener. The 26-year-old was one of England's only positives against Senegal and Scholes was clearly a fan of the Crystal Palace midfielder's performance. During the game, Scholes posted a picture of Eze in an England shirt with the caption: 'Just buy him.' Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro's Football Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link so we can send you football news tailored to you. Eze heads into the summer off the back of a superb season with Crystal Palace having scored the winner against Manchester City in the FA Cup final. In all competitions, scored 14 goals and registered 11 assists for Oliver Glasner's side. Eze has attracted interest from Tottenham and it's understood that he has a £68 million release clause in his deal with Palace which can be activated in the summer transfer window. Speaking last month, Scholes' former teammate, Dwight Yorke, also urged United to make a move for Eze. More Trending 'Eberechi Eze at Crystal Palace would be perfect for Manchester United,' Yorke said. 'Yeah, he scored at the weekend in the FA Cup final, but it's not just about that. A year ago, maybe more, I said this kid and Michael Olise – who went to Bayern – United should buy them for £100 million. Put £100m down and you will get two fantastic players. 'Instead, they listened to the figures in the hierarchy, which is understandable, but it's glaring just how good these two are. 'Eze has the decision-making, the talent, he's a good athlete, he can create and score. He's at the right age to step up and play on a bigger platform. It's a no-brainer.' For more stories like this, check our sport page. Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. MORE: Arsenal reignite interest in Newcastle and Chelsea target as asking price slashed MORE: England star will be 'fuming' with Thomas Tuchel after Senegal defeat, claims Roy Keane MORE: Roy Keane blasts 'lazy' England star during Senegal defeat
