Roman Abramovich has been added to the UK government's sanctions, with all of the 55-year-old's assets - including Chelsea Football Club - frozen with immediate effect.
The club will be allowed to continue functioning with restrictions under a special sporting licence that expires at the end of May but its sale has been blocked, for now at least, and the owner will no longer be permitted to invest.
Among many consequences for the club under the "Russia Regulations" licence, any prize money earned will be frozen and supporters will not be allowed to attend away games.
Players and staff will continue to be receive their salaries and monies owed to clubs will be repaid.
The government's decision has caused a lot of confusion amongst Chelsea fans, who are understandably concerned about both the immediate and long-term future of their club.
With that in mind, football.london has rounded-up all of the latest news surrounding Abramovich's situation and how it impacts the club moving forward.
Sponsorship suspended
Telecommunications firm Three have confirmed that they are placing their £40m a year shirt sponsorship deal with Chelsea "under review" in the wake of the sanctions imposed on Abramovich.
A company spokesperson said: “We are in discussions with Chelsea and reviewing our position.”
Bayrak reveals how close he was to Chelsea takeover before sanctions
Muhsin Bayrak has claimed he was about to "finish the job" when it comes to taking over Chelsea Football Club prior to Abramovich being sanctioned.
According to Bayrak, Chelsea was about to be sold to him, with the Turk claiming the job was almost done in terms of completing the takeover.
"We're in a bad mood. The British government seized it. We were just about to finish the job, applications were made yesterday," Bayrak said, via Gercek Gundem.
"A press conference was going to be held today, and the handover was going to be next week. I'm incredibly depressed."
Read more via this link.
Chelsea break silence
The Blues have informed supporters that they are readily seeking guidance from the government about the next steps so they can continue to operate as normally as possible.
A statement on the club's website read: "Chelsea Football Club has been advised that its owner Roman Abramovich has been sanctioned by the UK Government.
"By virtue of his 100 per cent ownership of Chelsea FC plc and affiliated entities, Chelsea FC would normally be subject to the same sanctions regime as Mr Abramovich. However, the UK Government has issued a general licence that permits Chelsea FC to continue certain activities.
"We will fulfil our men’s and women’s team fixtures today against Norwich and West Ham, respectively, and intend to engage in discussions with the UK Government regarding the scope of the licence. This will include seeking permission for the licence to be amended in order to allow the Club to operate as normal as possible.
"We will also be seeking guidance from the UK Government on the impact of these measures on the Chelsea Foundation and its important work in our communities.
"The Club will update further when it is appropriate to do so."
Find out more via this link.
Futures of trio uncertain
Chelsea defenders Andreas Christensen, Antonio Rudiger and Cesar Azpilicueta will not be allowed to discuss new contracts with the Blues.
The sanctions imposed on Abramovich mean that any slim chance the club had of keeping hold of all three key players is in jeopardy.
Find out more here.
First home game without full capacity
Newcastle United have confirmed that the Blues' next home game at Stamford Bridge has been sold out, therefore suggesting that Sunday's clash with the Magpies will be at full capacity, despite the restrictions imposed.
However, with the Blues unable to sell further matchday tickets from this moment in time, their next home games are likely to be played at a reduced capacity, with only season ticket holders and those who already have a match ticket permitted to attend.
Chelsea host Brentford on the first weekend of April before playing West Ham on April 23, and providing there's no change in stance from the UK government in that time, both of those games will be played with a reduced amount of supporters in the crowd.
Read more here.
Club shop closed
Chelsea have closed their official club shop until further notice.
The Blues are unable to sell any new merchandise following the announcement.
Read more via this link.
Champions League nightmare
Thomas Tuchel and co may find additional complexity in travelling to Lille next week for their Champions League last-16, second leg clash, as away game travel must now be capped at £20,000, which could test usual logistics.
Plans to go to north France on a private plane are now likely to be scuppered. The Eurostar or a coach remain options but the club would also likely need to scale back on accommodation costs for the second leg of a tie that they lead 2-0.
Find out more here.
What Abramovich's sanctions really mean for Chelsea
The Blues are still able to operate thanks to a special sporting license that allows football activities to continue, although this is only related to footballing activities.
However, they do now face many consequences.
Read more via this link.
Chelsea sale banned
Abramovich cannot sell Chelsea Football Club.
The Russian oligarch has been looking to sell the Blues for the past week, with the threat of UK government sanctions hanging over him due to reported close ties to Russian president Vladimir Putin, which he denies, amid the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Read more here.
Abramovich sanctioned
Chelsea's owner has been sanctioned by the UK government due to his ties with Putin.
The sanction said: “[Abramovich] is associated with a person who is or has been involved in destabilising Ukraine and undermining and threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, namely Vladimir Putin, with whom Abramovich has had a close relationship for decades.
"This association has included obtaining a financial benefit or other material benefit from Putin and the government.”
