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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Tom Victor

Chelsea hold emergency board meeting as Roman Abramovich sanctions hit club hard

Chelsea have held an emergency board meeting amid the UK government's announcement of sanctions against owner Roman Abramovich.

The Russian has seen his assets frozen by the government, throwing into question the potential sale of the club after he had earlier issued a statement confirming he was ready to listen to offers.

Questions also remain regarding ticket sales and player contracts, though the London side have been permitted to continue with footballing activities with a new operating licence severely restricting what the club can do.

The latest development comes after the Chelsea Supporters' Trust issued a statement in response to the government's announcement, while shirt sponsors Three have placed their £40m per year deal with the Stamford Bridge side under review.

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Abramovich has been added to the UK government's sanctions list (SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images)

The emergency meeting will be led by Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck, with directors Marina Granovskaia, and Eugene Tenenbaum chief executive Guy Laurence and director of football operations David Barnard also present.

Potential buyers are reported to remain interested in the club, following Abramovich's earlier statement explaining he intended to sell the club.

Chelsea's new operating licence has come into force immediately, and has been dated until May 31 at the earliest.

"Given the significant impact that today’s sanctions would have on Chelsea football club and the potential knock on effects of this, the Government has this morning published a licence which authorises a number of football-related activities to continue at Chelsea," a government statement reads.

"This includes permissions for the club to continue playing matches and other football related activity which will in turn protect the Premier League, the wider football pyramid, loyal fans and other clubs.

"This licence will only allow certain explicitly named actions to ensure the designated individual is not able to circumvent UK sanctions.

"The licence will be kept under constant review and we will work closely with the football authorities."

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Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck is believed to he leading the emergency meeting (REUTERS)

Chelsea's financial situation is among the matters which could be discussed in the emergency meeting, with the club unable to sell match tickets.

Those who have already bought season tickets are expected to be permitted to attend games, but no new tickets can be sold and the club shop is closed.

There are also restrictions which could impact the Blues' Champions League trip to Lille, though they will still be able to fulfil the fixture.

“Reasonable costs of travel to and from fixtures (for the purposes of training or practice) by any of the club teams for players and essential staff (including the reasonable cost of any travel company making such arrangements and necessary security staff or contractors) not exceeding the value of £20,000 per game, per club team," the terms of the licence read, though there is believed to be some flexibility on the £20,000 figure when it comes to European travel.

“Reasonable costs necessary for the purposes of the club hosting fixtures at its home ground, including, but not limited to the costs of security, catering and stewarding, not exceeding the value of £500,000 per fixture, per club team.”

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