Russian billionaire Chelsea FC owner, Roman Abramovich, announced on Wednesday that he will sell the Premier League club amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Abramovich said he made the decision in the “best interest” of the Champions League holders if he parts ways with the club he has transformed since his purchase in 2003.
He disclosed this in a press statement he signed and issued on Wednesday.
“As I have stated before, I have always taken decisions with the club’s best interest at heart,” Abramovich said in the statement.
“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.”
Chelsea FC have won 19 major trophies in the Abramovich era, including their first two Champions League crowns and five Premier League titles.
But the 55-year-old’s reign will come to an end following the fall-out from the Russian invasion.
The British government have yet to order sanctions against Abramovich, who is said to be close to Russian President Vladimir Putin, but the Chelsea owner’s concern about potential seizing of assets is said to have sparked his move to off-load the Blues.
Read below the full statement issued by Abramovich
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
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