To avert sanctions?
Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich has handed over the management of English Champions League winners Chelsea to the trustees of the Blues charitable foundation. This emerges from a statement 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 whilst playing a positive role in our community ‘ Abramovich shared.
He always acted in the interest of the club. Therefore, he is now placing the administration and supervision 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. The 55-year-old will no longer be involved in the decisions of the Londoners, but he still owns the club. Loud “The Athletic“Chelsea is not for sale either. The decision-making power regarding the professional team remains with club boss Marina Granovskaia and technical director Petr Cech.
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, including from the British Parliament. The decision comes just one day ahead of Sunday’s English League Cup final against Liverpool.
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Chelsea coach Tuchel on the Abramovich case: “It worries us”
Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel said on Saturday (quoted via “The Guardians“) on the previously unclear situation surrounding Abramovich: “I am aware of all these scenarios and I am aware of all these discussions. I would like to exercise my right not to comment until a decision has been made. But we are aware of it and it distracts us, it worries us. To a certain extent I can understand the opinions and criticism of the club, of us who represent this club. I can understand that and we cannot completely free ourselves from it.”
He hopes for understanding that he as a coach and the players have no insight into the situation at the top of the club: “At the moment we don’t feel responsible for any of this. We find it awful, there can be no doubt about that. A war in Europe was unimaginable for me for a long time. The implications are clear and the discussions are having an impact. Let’s be a little more patient and understand what the measures will be and then we might have to deal with that.”
Statement from Club Owner Roman Abramovich.
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) February 26, 2022
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