Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Tom Blow

Chelsea Supporters' Trust release statement after Roman Abramovich is sanctioned

Chelsea's Supporters' Trust (CST) have released a statement after the club's owner Roman Abramovich was sanctioned by the UK government.

Boris Johnson's cabinet has added the Russian oligarch to the list of sanctioned individuals amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

"The CST notes with concern the Government's statement regarding the owner," tweeted the group's official account.

"Supporters MUST be involved in any conversation regarding ongoing impacts on the club and its global fan base.

"The CST implores the Government to conduct a swift process to minimise the uncertainty over Chelsea's future, for supporters and for supporters to be given a golden share as part of a sale of the club."

The government announced Abramovich's inclusion on the sanctions list on Thursday morning after days of speculation.

Click here for all the latest news on the war between Ukraine and Russia

Roman Abramovich has been sanctioned by the UK government (AFP via Getty Images)

Chelsea have been given a sporting license to continue trading while Abramovich's assets have been frozen. The sanctions will expire on May 30 but could be renewed.

The billionaire is looking to sell the club and it's believed the government may still allow that to happen, on the condition none of the proceeds go to Abramovich.

"Given the significant impact that today’s sanctions would have on Chelsea football club and the potential knock on effects of this, the Government has this morning published a licence which authorises a number of football-related activities to continue at Chelsea," read a government statement.

"This includes permissions for the club to continue playing matches and other football related activity which will in turn protect the Premier League, the wider football pyramid, loyal fans and other clubs.

"This licence will only allow certain explicitly named actions to ensure the designated individual is not able to circumvent UK sanctions.

"The licence will be kept under constant review and we will work closely with the football authorities."

Culture secretary Nadine Dorries added: "To ensure the club can continue to compete and operate we are issuing a special licence that will allow fixtures to be fulfilled, staff to be paid and existing ticket holders to attend matches while, crucially, depriving Abramovich of benefiting from his ownership of the club.

"I know this brings some uncertainty, but the Government will work with the league & clubs to keep football being played while ensuring sanctions hit those intended. Football clubs are cultural assets and the bedrock of our communities. We're committed to protecting them."

Johnson continued: "There can be no safe havens for those who have supported Putin’s vicious assault on Ukraine.

"Today’s sanctions are the latest step in the UK’s unwavering support for the Ukrainian people.

"We will be ruthless in pursuing those who enable the killing of civilians, destruction of hospitals and illegal occupation of sovereign allies."

While foreign secretary Liz Truss said: "Today’s sanctions show once again that oligarchs and kleptocrats have no place in our economy or society. With their close links to Putin they are complicit in his aggression.

"The blood of the Ukrainian people is on their hands. They should hang their heads in shame.

"Our support for Ukraine will not waver. We will not stop in this mission to ramp up the pressure on the Putin regime and choke off funds to his brutal war machine."

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.