Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has been sanctioned by the United Kingdom government, a move which has a huge impact impact on how the club will operate.
Although Abramovich has seen his assets in the UK frozen, Chelsea have been provided a licence to continue operating, given their cultural significance in the country and their impact on the rest of the football pyramid.
The club must adhere to a 'Russia Regulations' licence and one of many consequences for the club under the licence is a logistical nightmare for next week’s Champions League round of 16 game away to Lille.
The Blues will still be allowed to pay players and staff, pay outstanding transfer fees and also receive payments - though they will then be frozen.
However, when it comes to staging games at Stamford Bridge, they are capped at spending £500,000 to cover the likes of security, catering, stewarding and other components that are required to host a matchday.
Chelsea will be unable to sell additional tickets for their home games but season ticket holders and those who have already purchased tickets for matches can still attend games.
However, 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 now must capped at £20,000, which could test usual logistics.
Plans to go to north France on a private plane are now likely 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.
Should they seal their progress, the £20,000 limit is likely to become even more problematic for a quarter-final trip further afield that would require the use of a plane.
The licence is currently set to expire on May 31st, with no clear indication of what could follow and the government can vary, revoke or suspend it at any point.
However, at this stage Abramovich appears unable to sell the club without special permission.
While Abramovich denies any links to Russian president Vladimir Putin, the official report from the UK Government states: "Roman Arkadyevich Abramovich (hereafter Abramovich) is a prominent Russian businessman and pro-Kremlin oligarch.
"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 of Russia."
