Roman Abramovich is no stranger to the threat of a poison attack and previously introduced strict measures at Chelsea to protect himself - including a ban on outside catering at Stamford Bridge.
The oligarch, 55, has reportedly been suffering with the symptoms of a suspected poisoning after taking part in peace talks between Russia and Ukraine. He and at least two senior Ukrainian delegates are understood to have experienced irritated eyes and peeling skin after meeting in Kyiv at the start of March.
Investigators were unable to get to the bottom of what caused the symptoms - which emerged shortly after Abramovich and other negotiators ate chocolate and drank water - but they mirror those caused by certain poisons. The suspected attack has been pinned on Russian hard-liners attempting to sabotage peace talks.
As reported by the Sunday People in 2006, Abramovich was previously petrified he could fall victim of a poison attack. Then three years into his tenure at Stamford Bridge, he banned outside catering at the boardroom of the West London club and ensured everything prepared for him was tested by a bodyguard. Further, Abramovich refused to eat anything unless it was made for him by his personal chef, who accompanied him everywhere, including to away games across the United Kingdom and further afield.
The report from 2006 came one month after former KGB spy Alexander Litvinenko was poisoned at a sushi restaurant in London. A public enquiry into the death concluded in 2016 that the attack was "probably" carried out by two suspects working on the orders of the FSB, the Russian security service, with the approval of president Vladimir Putin. Abramovich has numerous enemies in his homeland having made his fortune in the '90s by buying state-owned energy assets at a bargain price and later selling them back to the government for vast profit.
Over 15 years ago, he was concerned he could be the next victim of a poison attack - a fear which appears to have been realised earlier this month. Abramovich was contacted by Ukrainian officials and consented to taking part in peace talks with the approval of the Kremlin. Forensic experts who investigated the poisoning concluded the suspected attack was a warning rather than an attempt to kill.
Abramovich has subsequently been pictured in the Turkish capital of Istanbul and there appeared to be a slight reddish colour in his eyes. His private jet has been in frequent use since Putin's invasion of Ukraine as he travels across Eastern Europe for peace talks. Another victim of the alleged attack is believed to be Ukrainian politician Rustem Umerov.
