Chelsea may still be sold if the UK government grants special dispensation but Roman Abramovich would not make a penny from a transaction completed while he remains on the sanctions list relating to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The 55-year-old billionaire was one of seven people added to the list on Thursday morning, with the club’s most senior staff given less than 15 minutes' notice, and he was described as a “pro-Kremlin oligarch” who has had "close links to president Vladimir Putin for decades".
Last week Abramovich confirmed he had put the club up for sale due to the political climate, while constantly denying any links to the Kremlin.
And while the sanctions mean he can no longer sell the club directly, the government does hold sufficient power to transfer ownership and it is unclear if Abramovich would need to give permission.
A host of potential buyers have gone public in the past week, including a consortium led by US billionaire Todd Boehly and Swiss philanthropist Hansjorg Wyss; property developer and childhood fan Nick Candy; and Turkish businessman Muhsin Bayrak.
Abramovich had been looking for £3billion but financial experts said that, on account of his weak negotiating position pre-sanctioning, the club would likely trade hands for far less.
The government's sanctions list, updated just after 9am this morning, 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.”
