Chelsea owner hands over stewardship amid controversy

The Russian has handed over Chelsea’s management to the directors of Chelsea’s charitable club foundation as he faces sanctions after the Russian invasion.

Roman Abramovich, the Russian oligarch, businessman and billionaire who has owned English Club Chelsea FC since 2003, has come under international condemnation regarding his ties with Putin’s regime after Russia invaded Ukraine.

He was named in the House Of Commons by the Labour MP to be stripped of his ownership of the club and to be legally barred from residing in the country. Such sanctions against him amid the crisis has put his ownership under a lot of scrutinies, including fans of the Blues who were anxious about the club’s funding and transfer signings.

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The club has since come forward in a statement released officially, about the handing over of the ownership to the club’s charitable foundation, under Director Marina Granovskaia together with Petr Cech who will further take under their wings decisions regarding contract extensions, new signings and more. This would mean that the current condemnation against him would not affect the club and its management. The decision was made on the eve of the Carabao Cup final, where Chelsea plays against Liverpool at Wembley.

“I have always taken decisions with the club’s best interest at heart”, said Abramovich in the statement. ” That is why I am today giving trustees of Chelsea’s charitable foundation the stewardship and care of Chelsea FC. I believe that currently, they are in the best position to look after the interests of the club, players, staff and fans”.

While the stewardship has been handed over to the directors, the ownership still remains with the Russian who is adamant about the club not being for sale. He has invested over 1 billion euros into the club and further actions will depend on the sanctions faced by him.

However, as the statement released did not mention the move as consequences of the invasion, the west London club released another statement saying, “Chelsea FC’s thoughts are with everyone in Ukraine. Everyone at the club is praying for peace”.