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The British government on Monday called on Chelsea supporters to stop chanting “completely inappropriate” in the name of the club’s owner Roman Abramovich. They chanted the name of the Russian rich man during the interview that brought the club together on Sunday in Newcastle. And the Kingdom’s government froze all his assets, except for the club, which allowed him to continue his career, according to several restrictions. London describes Abramovich as part of President Vladimir Putin’s inner circle, although he has denied any association with the Kremlin.
Chelsea supporters do not seem satisfied with the decisions taken against the owner of the Russian team Roman AbramovichAnd they expressed their support for him during the match that brought the club together at its stadium, Sunday, in Newcastle.
A spokesman for British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Monday that Chelsea fans should stop chanting “totally inappropriate” for the club’s Russian owner Roman Abramovich.
All of Abramovich’s assets were frozen except for the club, which was allowed to continue “football-related activities” due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The government has placed several restrictions on Chelsea, as the club is not entitled, under the restrictions, to sell new tickets or commercial goods, and all revenue from television rights or rewards from the competitions it participates has been frozen.
It has also been prohibited from signing players or renewing their contracts, as well as placing a cap on spending when they travel for matches abroad, which raises fears that money will drain quickly.
The League took action against Abramovich, who was described by the government as part of the inner circle of Russian President Vladimir Putin, although he denied any association with the Kremlin.
‘Inappropriate behaviour’
But Johnson’s spokesman said it was time to stop the chanting. “We are aware of the strong feeling about people’s clubs, but that does not justify completely inappropriate behavior at this time,” he said.
“I think people can show passion and support for their club without resorting to this kind of thing,” he added.
Abramovich had previously announced that he would sell the club he bought in 2003 and achieved 19 titles during his reign.
The government is still open to the sale, but it must agree to issue a new license, provided that no profit goes to the Russian who funded the club with about two billion dollars.
The spokesman pointed out that the club has not yet submitted requests to change its strict special licence.
In the context of European sanctions against Putin’s inner circle, the European Union announced that it had imposed sanctions on new Russian oligarchs, including Roman Abramovich, according to diplomats.
Abramovich removed from the position of club manager
And the English Premier League announced in a statement on Saturday that its board of directors removed Roman Abramovich, the owner of Chelsea, from the position of director of the London club.
“Following the imposition of sanctions by the British government, the English Premier League’s board of directors removed Roman Abramovich from the position of director of Chelsea Football Club,” the statement read.
The statement added, “The board’s decision will not have an impact on the club’s ability to train and play its matches, as stated in the license issued by the British government, which expires on May 31, 2022.”
Abramovich bought the London club in 2003 for an amount estimated at 140 million pounds (182.5 million dollars). Because of his investments, the club has achieved unprecedented achievements throughout its history, winning the Premier League title five times, the English Cup five times and the Champions League twice.
FRANCE 24/REUTERS/AFP