Chelsea Football Club has been thrown into chaos after the UK government confirmed they had imposed sanctions on owner Roman Abramovich.
The 55-year-old billionaire has denied links to Russian President Vladimir Putin following the invasion of Ukraine last month.
But in the newest list of sanctions imposed on Russian Oligarchs living in the United Kingdom, Abramovich has been included.
He had been hoping to sell the club with 10 bidders believed to be in the mix to takeover after 19 years at the helm.
But the measures now put in place block a sale - with Chelsea now operating under a special licence which enables them to fulfil fixtures and continue to operate.
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A government statement confirmed: "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.
"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."
However, whilst the Premier League giants will be able to continue playing matches, the direction of the club’s on-field product is now in major doubt.
Abramovich was adamant that any potential suitor would continue to invest in the playing squad, as he has done since he purchased the club in 2003.
But with the club effectively now in a state of flux for the foreseeable future, the new licence is set to prohibit Chelsea from procuring new players, whilst it is unlikely they will be able to extend the contracts of current stars.
It is understood that they will currently only have the ability to pay existing players and staff, pay for travel costs, director fees and to cover matchday costs.
The news will come as a bitter blow to Thomas Tuchel, who is now facing the prospect of not only being unable to improve his squad, but also one of a summer exodus.
Defensive trio Antonio Rudiger, Cesar Azpilicueta and Antonio Rudiger are all set to become free agents at the end of the season, with negotiations over extensions at differing points.
Tuchel is desperate to keep the three players, having all contributed to the club lifting the Champions League and Club World Cup in his first 14 months in charge.
Speaking before the news of Abramovich’s sanctions had been confirmed, Tuchel issued an open message to Christensen, imploring him to stay at Stamford Bridge amid reports he could sign a pre-contract agreement with Barcelona.
“I don’t see an upgrade in any other club,” he said on Wednesday. You can fulfil any dream here at Chelsea.
“But it is in doubt. We hear the rumours. We are not happy about it. I and the club think it is best for him to stay.
“He did not sign yet. You cannot not communicate. This is a signal to us. We have to consider the possibility that he leaves. Will we like it? No. Will we live with it? Yes. Things should never be personal.
“It is a crucial point in his career. At the perfect age and perfect moment with the position he plays in. The decisive moment to step up and be a huge Chelsea player for the next years. He is not done here. I recommended him not to go before it is done. And it is not done. This is the moment for him.”
