Former Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has spoken over how he was forced to sell the Blues amid accusations of being close to Russia President Vladimir Putin.
Roman Abramovich has spoken publicly for the first time since being forced to sell Chelsea Football Club three years ago following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The reclusive billionaire expressed his desire to one day attend a match and bid a “proper goodbye” to the club.
In March 2022, Abramovich announced he had no choice but to sell Chelsea amid accusations of ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin. These allegations led to sanctions against him by the UK government later that month.
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A new book, “Sanctioned: The Inside Story of the Sale of Chelsea FC,” reveals Abramovich’s behind-the-scenes involvement in peace talks, even in the aftermath of reportedly being poisoned in a Kyiv apartment.
The sale of Chelsea to the Todd Boehly-Clearlake Capital consortium concluded in May 2022. The £2.5 billion proceeds were frozen in a UK bank account, earmarked for charities supporting victims of the war in Ukraine.
Abramovic Would Like to Say Proper Goodbye to Chelsea
In an interview for the book, Abramovich stated he has no desire to own another football club after losing Chelsea, which he purchased in 2003 for £140 million, ushering in an era of unprecedented success.
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“Perhaps one day there would be a situation where I could attend a match and say a proper goodbye, but nothing more than that. I don’t have any interest in any role in a football club, certainly not a professional role,” said Abramovich as quoted by Dailymail.
He expressed a potential interest in supporting youth academies and providing opportunities for underprivileged individuals, stating, “There might be something where I could help with academies and youngsters, giving greater opportunities to people from difficult backgrounds, if there were an initiative that could make a difference. But as for ownership or a professional role at a club, I am done with that in this lifetime.”
Addressing the accusations against him, Abramovich quoted an old Russian saying: “The dogs bark but the caravan keeps moving. Whatever I do, people will always accuse me of some kind of agenda. In the end, I have done what I have done simply to try to help.”
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