Roman Abramovich to promote Chelsea, ‘net proceeds’ to go to Ukraine warfare victims

Russian businessman Roman Abramovich has determined to promote Chelsea as revealed by his official assertion shared by the Chelsea Twitter deal with on Wednesday.

“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,” Abramovich stated.

Abramovich stated he won’t be asking to be repaid 1.5 billion kilos ($2 billion) in loans he has granted the membership throughout 19 years of injecting money to raise the crew into one of the profitable in Europe. The Blues received the Club World Cup for the primary time final month — in entrance of Abramovich in Abu Dhabi — after securing a second Champions League title final yr.

Statement from Roman Abramovich.

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) March 2, 2022

“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,” he stated within the assertion.

“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,” he concluded.

The velocity of Abramovich’s pending exit from Chelsea is placing as he was attempting to instigate a plan this previous weekend to relinquish some management as a way to preserve the membership below his possession.

But as Russia’s warfare on Ukraine entered a seventh day, strain was rising on the British authorities to incorporate him among the many rich Russians to be focused in sanctions.