London (AP) – The Russian owner of the English football club Chelsea FC, Roman Abramovich, wants to sell the Champions League winner. The 55-year-old billionaire said the proceeds would go to a foundation that would benefit the victims of the Ukraine war.
The Russian oligarch has been the focus of attention in Britain for weeks over his alleged closeness to Russian President Vladimir Putin. MPs in the House of Commons repeatedly called for him to be put on the sanctions list.
“In the best interest of the club”
The well-being of the club was always the focus of his decisions, Abramovich said, according to the announcement. In the current situation, selling is “both in the best interest of the club, the fans, the employees and the sponsors and partners”. There had previously been rumors of a possible sale. In the previous week, Abramowitsch had already announced that he would hand over the management of coach Thomas Tuchel’s club to a charitable foundation.
Since Abramovich took over 19 years ago, the former Chelsea lift club has won the English Championship and the FA Cup five times, the League Cup three times and the Champions League and Europa League twice each. Recently, the Blues triumphed for the first time at the Club World Cup.
Abramovich in the sights of the authorities
Abramovich has owned Chelsea FC since 2003 and has given the club great success with his money. But his name has always been associated with the Kremlin. According to Labor Party leader Keir Starmer, a Home Office document shows the oligarch was targeted by authorities over his links to Putin and allegations of corruption.
A spokesman recently claimed that the 55-year-old wanted to act as a mediator in the conflict. Abramovich has been trying to help since then – but with a view to what is at stake, no further details can be given, it said.