The doomsday scenario for Chelsea has become a reality. The British government today released a list of Russian oligarchs who will be subject to sanctions. One of the (expected) names: Roman Abramovich.
“He is associated with a person who is destabilizing Ukraine, namely Vladimir Putin,” it said in the official communication. “He has had close ties with that for decades.”
The Chelsea owner has been under fire in recent weeks for his relationship with Vladimir Putin and anticipated by putting the club up for sale. Because all of Abramovich’s properties are now frozen, the sale of Chelsea is (temporarily?) put on hold.
The club did receive permission to continue its daily operation. “Chelsea received a special license to continue playing and working. This allows matches to be played, staff paid and subscribers to attend matches, without Abramovich taking advantage of his ownership.”
Yet the concrete consequences are enormous. For example, Chelsea will no longer be able to give new contracts to players (including strong holders Rüdiger and Christensen have expiring agreements). Transfers are also impossible for the time being. And
even the merchandising and ticket sales can no longer go on.
Another striking sentence in the conditions: the costs for transfers to matches must not exceed £20,000 per match. Chelsea is “lucky” that it will soon have a short trip to Lille in the Champions League. But what if a distant trip to Madrid, for example, awaits in the next round?
Perhaps Romelu Lukaku and co should then prepare for a relocation with a commercial airline and a modest hotel.
