War in Ukraine/Chelsea FC: "I have taken the decision to sell the club" (Roman Abramovich)

"I would like to address the speculation in media over the past few days in relation to my ownership of Chelsea FC (Premier League). As I have stated before, I have always taken decisions with the club's best interest at heart. In the current situation, I have therefore taken the decision to sell the club, as I believe this is in the best interest of the club, the fans, the employees, as well as the club's sponsors and partners," announced Roman Abramovich, owner of the London club since 2003, in a statement posted on Chelsea FC's website on 02/03/2022.

The Russian oligarch has been in the spotlight since Russia's invasion of Ukraine led by President Vladimir Putin, to whom he is said to be close, began on Thursday 24/02/2022. Of Ukrainian origin through his mother, Roman Abramovich, who is said to be advocating peace, has been asked to take part in talks between Russians and Ukrainians on the Belarusian border, without his level of influence on the negotiations being defined. On 26/02/2022, he announced that he was stepping down from the running of the club, which was entrusted to…