MOSCOW, January 31. /TASS/. Russian businessman Roman Abramovich has no access to the proceeds obtained after the sale of the Chelsea Football Club, and is not taking part in their distribution, his press office told TASS on Tuesday.
"After the club was sold, the money was not transferred to Abramovich’s account, and has since remained at the disposal of the British authorities. Mr. Abramovich has no access to these funds and is not participating in the process of their distribution," TASS has learned.
"Before selling Chelsea, Roman Abramovich explained that he wants the money to be transferred to a charity foundation catering to the needs of victims from both sides of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. This refers exclusively to humanitarian assistance to the population," the press office added.
"However, when the club was sold, the money was never transferred to Mr. Abramovich's accounts, and have since remained under the control of the UK authorities," it said.
UK Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) Leo Docherty said in November 2022 that the proceeds raised from Roman Abramovich’s sale of the Chelsea Football Club have not yet been transferred to Ukraine.
The United Kingdom blacklisted Roman Abramovich on March 10, 2022, over the events in Ukraine. The businessman’s assets in the United Kingdom were frozen. On May 24, The UK government and the Premier League approved the sale of the Chelsea Football Club to an ownership group led by US businessman Todd Boehly in a deal worth 4.25 billion pounds ($4.87 billion). The club itself was sold for 2.5 billion pounds, while 1.75 billion pounds are to be invested in its development.
On May 25, 2022, the British government issued a special license allowing Abramovich to sell the club on the condition that he would not benefit from the proceeds of the deal. The UK government said it would oversee the transfer of funds to charity organizations, including those helping Ukrainian refugees.
Abramovich bought Chelsea FC in 2003 for 140 million British pounds (around $233 million at that time). Since then, the club has won five Premier League titles, two Champions Leagues, and two Europa Leagues. In 2021, Chelsea were crowned the UEFA Super Cup champions.