Abramovich bids farewell to football business

Former Chelsea Football Club owner, Roman Abramovich, has firmly declared that he has no plans to return to football club ownership or take up any professional role in the sport again.

In what is his first public statement on the matter since selling Chelsea FC in May 2022, the 58-year-old Russian billionaire emphasized that he is completely done with football club management in his lifetime.

Abramovich’s comments are featured in the newly published book, Sanctioned: The Inside Story of the Sale of Chelsea FC, authored by journalist Nick Purewal.

The book, which sheds light on the controversial sale and the events surrounding it, was also quoted by the Daily Mail.

“I don’t have any interest in any role in a football club, certainly not a professional role,” Abramovich said.
“There might be something where I could help with academies and youngsters… But as for ownership or a professional role at a club, I am done with that in this lifetime.”

Abramovich purchased Chelsea in 2003 for around £140 million and oversaw a hugely successful era, with the club winning 21 major trophies, including two UEFA Champions League titles, five Premier League titles, and a Club World Cup.

He sold the club in 2022 to a consortium led by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, in a deal worth £2.5 billion. The UK government froze the proceeds of the sale, designating them to be used for charities supporting victims of the war in Ukraine.

However, the funds remain in limbo. Last week, UK ministers Rachel Reeves (Finance) and David Lammy (Foreign Affairs) expressed frustration over the delay, stating that negotiations with Abramovich have not led to an agreement.

The ministers have threatened legal action to ensure the funds are disbursed to support Ukrainian humanitarian causes.

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“We are deeply frustrated that it has not been possible to reach an agreement with Mr Abramovich,” they said.
“While the door for negotiations remains open, we are fully prepared to pursue this through the courts if required.”

Abramovich has insisted that the aid money should go to victims of the war on both sides, including Russians affected by the conflict, a stance that has become a point of contention with UK officials.

Addressing criticism and legal threats, Abramovich said:

“There’s an old Russian saying: ‘The dogs bark, but the caravan keeps moving.’ People will always accuse me of having an agenda. I’ve only ever acted to try to help.”

Despite his exit from football, Abramovich left the door slightly open to one final connection with the club.

“Perhaps one day there would be a situation where I could attend a match and say a proper goodbye—but nothing more than that.”

His statement marks the end of an era for one of football’s most influential owners, whose tenure at Chelsea transformed the club into a global powerhouse. While his future in football may be sealed, his legacy and the legal saga surrounding the club’s sale remain ongoing.

PunchNewspaper