Roman Abramovich.Credit:AP
The move effectively derails Abramovich’s plan to try to sell Chelsea,which plays in England’s highest soccer league,and raises major questions about the future of the club.
Chelsea can’t sell new tickets for matches,including games in the European Champions League,and the club’s merchandise stores will be closed,according to the UK Treasury. Player transfers are banned,as are new contracts.
What happens to Chelsea in the longer term is even less clear. As speculation grew that he would face sanctions,Abramovich announced his intention to sell Chelsea,with the proceeds going to “all victims of the war in Ukraine.”
But the plan lacked details and left open the possibility that Russian victims would also benefit from the sale. According to the Treasury,the UK government would consider a conversation on an application to sell the club,but Abramovich would not be allowed to benefit from the proceeds.
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Johnson has faced intense pressure to accelerate sanctions against Russians the government regards as having close links to Russian President Vladimir Putin. In its statement,the Foreign Office said the UK is the first nation to sanction Abramovich.
“There can be no safe havens for those who have supported Putin’s vicious assault on Ukraine,” Johnson said. “We will be ruthless in pursuing those who enable the killing of civilians,destruction of hospitals and illegal occupation of sovereign allies.”