Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich has handed over the management of English Champions League winners Chelsea to the trustees of the football club’s charitable foundation.
This emerges from a message from the Premier League club on Saturday evening. “During the nearly 20 years that I have owned Chelsea FC I have always seen myself as the custodian of the club whose job it is to ensure that we are as successful as we can be today while playing a positive role in our community ‘ said Abramovich.
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He always acted in the interests of the club. Therefore, he is now putting the administration and supervision of the club in the hands of the trustees, Abramovich continued. They are in the best position to look after the interests of the club, players, staff and fans.
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Abramovich has come under increasing criticism in recent days for his closeness to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Demands for sanctions against the Chelsea owner grew louder.
The decision comes just one day before the final of the English League Cup against Liverpool and the duel between the two German coaches Thomas Tuchel and Jürgen Klopp on Sunday. (dpa)
