The Premier League have disqualified Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich as a director of the club, it has been announced.
Abramovich was sanctioned on Thursday morning in the continued fallout from Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The club owner is, as the Government explained in a statement, "associated with a person who is/has been involved in destabilising Ukraine and undermining/threatening territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, namely Vladimir Putin, with whom (he) has had a close relationship for decades.”
As a result, Abromovich's assets in the UK. have been frozen, which would normally mean Chelsea would have to cease operations. However, the club has been granted a special license in order to play its fixtures, finance hosting and travelling to games and pay staff members. Under the current restrictions, the London club is unable to sell tickets or merchandise, offer new contracts and won't be allowed to buy or sell plays in the transfer window.
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The Government has since tweaked the terms of the license, though. The amount Chelsea were allowed to spend on putting games on at Stamford Bridge has increased to £900k from £500k, any prize money earned can now be accessed and there is more support for the academy.
Now there has been further action as the Premier League has announced the Russian oligarch has been disqualified as a director.
In a statement, it said: "Following the imposition of sanctions by the UK Government, the Premier League board has disqualified Roman Abromovich as a Director of Chelsea Football Club.
"The board's decision does not impact on the club's ability to train and play its fixtures, as set out under the terms of a license issued by the Government which expires on 31 May 2022."
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