Latest news with #Sanctioned:TheInsideStoryoftheSaleof
Daily Mirror
24-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Roman Abramovich's Chelsea stance and UK Government fury three years on from sale
Roman Abramovich purchased Chelsea in 2003 and his hefty investment guided the Blues to much success, yet his acrimonious departure from the club in 2022 reportedly still haunts the Russian Former Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has apparently turned his back on football after a distressing breakup with the club. The Russian transformed Chelsea into one of the world's most successful teams after purchasing them in 2003. However, he had to endure the seizure of his assets and sanctions by the UK government for alleged links to Vladimir Putin following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Abramovich was then compelled to offload his Chelsea shares to Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital in May of that year for £2.5 billion. It is believed that he also remains embittered by the UK Government's decision to retract his 'golden visa' in 2018, also known as the Tier 1 Investor visa, which grants residency to wealthy individuals making significant investments in the country. According to confidants, Abramovich has scarcely engaged with football since relinquishing control to Boehly's group. A source shared with The Sun:"Roman still likes football. But he doesn't go to games any more. It was always about Chelsea." However, fans may soon unearth more about the enigmatic Russian's views with Abramovich having given his first batch of interviews since 2021, for an upcoming book titled Sanctioned: The Inside Story of the Sale of Chelsea FC' The two-part interview is set to divulge his side of the story regarding the sale and the sanctions stemming from Russia's military aggression against Ukraine, reports Football London. One of the interviews was conducted in Abu Dhabi this January and another a year prior in Istanbul, where he reportedly spends much of his time. Chelsea fans will be eager for any insights from the 58-year-old, who hasn't participated in an official interview since 2006. Ex-Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel, who played under Abramovich's ownership, revealed that the Russian tycoon still feels bitter about being compelled to sell the club. "It's just unfortunate what happened: he lost the football club," Mikel said. "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." In a statement released upon the sale, Abramovich said: "As I have stated before, I have always taken decisions with the club's best interest at heart. In the current situation, I have therefore taken the decision to sell the club, as I believe this is in the best interest of the club, the fans, the employees, as well as the club's sponsors and partners." During Abramovich's 19 years at the helm, Chelsea amassed an impressive haul of 21 major trophies, including five Premier League titles, five FA Cups, two Champions League crowns, and a pair of Europa League titles.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Revealing all: The inside story set to be released by former Chelsea owner will ruffle feathers
Revealing all: The inside story set to be released by former Chelsea owner will ruffle feathers Former Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is set to release a book soon and tell a story that will surely ruffle some feathers. The Blues came from a goal down to score two very late goals to win the game 2-1 against Fulham at Craven Cottage on Sunday afternoon in what was a very dramatic game of ups and downs. But for 80 minutes, it was a lot of downs for Chelsea and the woes were continuing. Thankfully, they managed to get two late goals from individual brilliance to win the game. Still, manager Enzo Maresca did not celebrate the Chelsea win over with the away fans like all the players did at the end of the game, which was very odd. But he has explained his reasoning for this in the post match press conference, although it wont wash. Advertisement The fans were furious throughout most of the game though and certainly let the manager and the players know this at half time and throughout the game. Pedro Neto responded to the fan anger in his post-match comments after the game on Sunday. A lot has changed at Chelsea since the new owners came in three years ago after Roman Abramovich was sanctioned by the UK Government. And we might soon hear about what actually went down. Roman to release a book The BBC report that Abramovich will discuss the sale of the club in a new book set to be released this summer after giving his first interview in four years. Advertisement The book named 'Sanctioned: The Inside Story of the Sale of Chelsea FC' is written by Nick Purewal and will also tell other stories from that accelerated 95-day sale – run by Raine Bank under the supervision of the UK government – and will be released by Biteback Publishing this summer.
Daily Mirror
23-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Roman Abramovich finally breaks silence on controversial Chelsea sale
Roman Abramovich has not spoken publicly since he gave an interview to Forbes in 2021 and has broken his silence on the sale of Chelsea for a forthcoming book Roman Abramovich has discussed his forced sale of Chelsea for the first time. The Russian, former-owner of the Blues, who led the club to its most trophy-laden period in its history, has given his first series of interviews since he last spoke to Forbes in 2021, for a new book due out this summer. Abramovich continues to be sanctioned by the UK government due to alleged connections with Russian president Vladimir Putin. He was initially hit with sanctions by Boris Johnson's Conservative government following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The 58-year-old's assets were frozen and he was forced to sell the Premier League club. This process concluded when the Todd Boehly-Clearlake Capital consortium acquired the Blues in May 2022. Abramovich has conducted two interviews regarding the sale. One took place in Abu Dhabi in January and the other in Istanbul, where Abramovich spends much of his time, a year previously. The two-part interview is due to cover Abramovich's perspective on the sale, his sanctions, his involvement in the previous peace process, and his suspected poisoning in March 2022. His comments will be included in a new book titled Sanctioned: The Inside Story of the Sale of Chelsea FC, penned by Nick Purewall. The book will also recount other stories from the 95-day hunt for a buyer, overseen by Raine Bank under the watchful eye of the government. Abramovich has remained tight-lipped since his last interview with Forbes in 2021. Apart from a few brief comments on Frank Lampard's dismissal as Chelsea manager and the club's 'Say No to Anti-Semitism' initiative, he hasn't given an official interview since 2006. 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.' Abramovich's 19-year stewardship of the club began when the oligarch and ex-politician bought the club in 2003. The Blues amassed a staggering 21 major titles during this period, including five Premier League trophies, five FA Cups, two Champions League titles, and two Europa Leagues.
