Roman Abramovich has declared that he will sell Chelsea Football Club, with all net revenues going to victims of the Ukrainian war.
Labour MP Chris Bryant used Parliamentary Privilege earlier this week to claim Abramovich is selling his UK property and another flat, saying the Russian billionaire is “terrified of being sanctioned” in the House of Commons.
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has now officially confessed he wants to sell the club, with Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss stating he has been offered the opportunity to acquire it.
Chelsea owes Abramovich £1.5 billion after he bought the club for £140 million in 2003, but he insists he will not ask for any of the loans to be repaid.
Chelsea’s sale “will not be rushed, but will follow due protocol,” he said.
“This has never been about business or money for me,” Abramovich stated, “but about genuine enthusiasm for the game and club.”
“I’ve told my team to set up a charitable foundation to which all of the sale’s net revenues will be given. The organization will serve as a resource for all victims of Ukraine’s war. This involves giving crucial cash for victims’ immediate and urgent needs, as well as helping long-term healing efforts.”
The full statement by Roman Abramovich may be found on the Chelsea website
“I would like to address the speculation in media over the past few days in relation to my ownership of Chelsea FC. 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.
The sale of the Club will not be fast-tracked but will follow due process. I will not be asking for any loans to be repaid. This has never been about business nor money for me, but about pure passion for the game and Club. Moreover, I have instructed my team to set up a charitable foundation where all net proceeds from the sale will be donated. The foundation will be for the benefit of all victims of the war in Ukraine. This includes providing critical funds towards the urgent and immediate needs of victims, as well as supporting the long-term work of recovery.
Please know that this has been an incredibly difficult decision to make, and it pains me to part with the Club in this manner. However, I do believe this is in the best interest of the Club.
I hope that I will be able to visit Stamford Bridge one last time to say goodbye to all of you in person. It has been a privilege of a lifetime to be part of Chelsea FC and I am proud of all our joint achievements. Chelsea Football Club and its supporters will always be in my heart.”
Thank you,
Roman
Chelsea FC Website
Wyss ‘offered chance’ to sign Chelsea
Wyss, the 86-year-old Swiss billionaire, claims he has been offered the chance to buy Chelsea, with the 86-year-old confessing an interest in buying the club from Abramovich, but only as part of a consortium.
“Abramovich is attempting to sell all of his English homes, and he also wants to get Chelsea off his hands as soon as possible,” Wyss told Swiss tabloid Blick.”
On Tuesday, Abramovich made an offer to me and three other people to acquire Chelsea. I’ll have to wait another four to five days. Currently, Abramovich is asking for far too much.
“You know, he owes Chelsea £2 billion.” Chelsea, on the other hand, is cash-strapped. We don’t know the actual selling price right now.
“I could easily see myself starting at Chelsea with a partner. However, I must first assess the broader situation.”
“Well, I can already state that I’m not going to attempt something like this by myself.” If I acquire Chelsea, I’ll do so with a group of six to seven investors.”
