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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Politics
Ben Glaze

What Ukraine-Russia war sanctions mean for oligarchs, Abramovich and Chelsea FC

Chelsea FC owner Roman Abramovich was finally slapped with sanctions today - thwarting his attempts to sell the club.

Two weeks after Russia invaded Ukraine, the billionaire oligarch was hit with an asset freeze which has derailed his bid to offload the club he has run since 2003.

He was one of seven oligarchs subjected to the UK sanction regime after ministers finally bowed to pressure to act.

Also hit today is Oleg Deripaska, the oligarch who hosted then Shadow Chancellor George Osborne and Labour big beast Peter Mandelson in 2008 off Corfu.

The updated UK sanctions list said Mr Abramovich has had a "close relationship for decades" with Putin, which the football club owner has previously denied.

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Russia's President Vladimir Putin (Sputnik/AFP via Getty Images)

The list imposes assets freezes, travel bans and a prohibition on transactions with UK individuals and businesses.

These elite individuals have a collective net worth of £15 billion, the Foreign Office said in an official announcement.

Today's decision brings the total number of Russian oligarchs sanctioned by Britain to 18, with another five already on the list before war broke out.

Sanctions have also been imposed on Putin, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and a number of Belarusian officials.

But how do they work and what do they mean for the people involved? Here’s an overview.

Russia's foreign minister Sergei Lavrov (FABRICE COFFRINI/POOL/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

What does it actually mean to be sanctioned?

The seven oligarchs sanctioned yesterday were named and shamed as being linked to Putin.

The Foreign Secretary accused them of “having blood on their hands”.

The publicity surrounding their designation is aimed at demonstrating the consequences for allegedly associating with the Kremlin regime.

Practically, they are unable to travel to the UK. If they were already in Britain - and none was thought to be - they would be unable to leave.

Their property and assets have been frozen, though this only applies if the government is confident an asset is owned by the oligarch involved.

What does it mean when your assets are frozen?

You cannot buy or sell or use them. In the case of a house, for example, utility companies are unable to supply gas, electricity or water.

Staff cannot work there - so any housekeepers, gardeners or cleaners would be unable to do their jobs.

Homes cannot be sold or rented. Private jets would be unable to take off from British airfields. Yachts in British waters or docks would be detained.

You cannot access money in UK bank accounts, or sell shares in companies.

Stamford Bridge, home of Chelsea FC, in London (PA)

What will it mean for Chelsea?

The Government is keen to limit the impact on ordinary Chelsea fans, so the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport has granted a special licence so matches can go ahead.

But new tickets cannot be sold so only season ticket holders or supporters who have booked tickets to upcoming matches can attend.

New merchandise will not be supplied, so the club shop will close.

Players cannot be bought, sold or loaned. A limit of £20,000 in travel expenses has been imposed - meaning the team may struggle to charter a private jet for their Champions League away game in Lille on Wednesday.

Staff and player wages will continue to be paid.

The government is open to the club being sold, but it will require a new licence from the Treasury and no money will be able to find its way to Abramovich.

A Chelsea shop announced it would be closed for today until further notice (Twitter@https://twitter.com/tariqpanja/status/1501890628094996483)

What will the Government do with all those Russian properties?

They have not been seized and have not been nationalised, they are simply frozen. For the time being they are effectively mothballed.

Calls have been made for oligarchs’ mansions to be opened to Britain’s homeless or Ukrainian refugees. So far, that seems unlikely to happen.

A Ukranian soldier hugs his wife in the city of Irpin, north of Kyiv (AFP via Getty Images)

Can they just sell them and keep the money?

Under current laws, no. The assets have been frozen, not seized.

Theoretically, if the Russians packed up in Ukraine and went home tomorrow the sanctions could be lifted - though that also seems unlikely.

Earlier this month, it emerged ministers and officials were drawing up plans that would allow the Government to seize, then use or sell, property or land owned by sanctioned tycoons.

But the measure would need a new Act of Parliament, which would take time.

It would also provoke a parliamentary clash - not over how it would be used this time, but about how it could be used in future.

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