Roman Abramovich has been playing a very complex score since the start of the war in Ukraine. A major figure in the Premier League for 15 years, the Russian-Israeli owner of Chelsea is close to Vladimir Putin but also a man born to a mother from Kiev. Mobilized in negotiations between the two parties on the Belarusian border, without knowing exactly his level of influence, the “guardian” of the Blues, as he likes to define himself, will he return the keys to Stamford Bridge ?
According to The Telegraph, he could receive three buyout offers by the weekend for the club he has owned since 2003. These potential buyers would thus be persuaded that the billionaire is considering a sale for the first time. If Roman Abramovich is not yet one of the personalities targeted by the financial sanctions decided by the British government, such a scenario could complicate the club’s situation.
Very worried administrators
Officially, the leader has taken a step back since last weekend. In very vague terms, the “management” of the club was thus entrusted to the “administrators of the charitable foundation”. Only, the latter would already think of resigning. Their fear: to find themselves implicated and legally responsible in the event of sanctions targeting Abramovich’s property. Also according to The Telegraph, the 55-year-old oligarch is also considering selling his London mansion in Kensington Palace Gardens.
If sanctions against him were decided, how will Chelsea position themselves? “Legally, management means nothing more than supervising or taking charge of something”, according to “If the government were to decree that Abramovich should not control the club, the Premier League would immediately have to decide whether the ownership of the club was effectively transferred to the foundation,” said sports lawyer Stephen Taylor Heath. According to the club’s parent company, Fordstam Ltd, Abramovich’s subsidized loans to the club amount to more than 1.5 billion pounds (nearly 1.8 billion euros).
Hansjorg Wyss, one of Switzerland’s richest men, said on Wednesday he had been offered to buy Chelsea. “I still leave myself four or five days of reflection. Abramovich is asking too much right now. Chelsea owe him £2 billion, except Chelsea have no money. This means those who buy Chelsea have to compensate Abramovich,” he explained. “Like all the other oligarchs, he is panicked. He wants to get rid of Chelsea quickly. Along with three other people, I received an offer on Tuesday to buy Chelsea from Abramovich. »
According to New York Times, American billionaire and Los Angeles Dodgers co-owner Todd Boehly is also among the contenders. The newspaper adds that buyout plans must be filed by the weekend. A requirement of Abramovich who fears that his assets will be frozen before the transfer of the club to his charitable foundation is effective. The very legality of this approach remains unclear.
Tuchel also annoyed
In the meantime, the club’s general manager Marina Granovskaia and her technical adviser and former goalkeeper Petr Cech are still in charge. Asked several times about the subject before the knockout stages of the FA Cup on Wednesday against Luton (D2), the German coach Thomas Tuchel did not hide his annoyance. “The role of Mr. Abramovich, it is not for me to comment on it, because I do not know enough about the subject”, he swept away. “Look, you have to stop, honestly. I am not a politician! he also blurted out to a journalist. “I have never experienced war. So even when I talk about it, I feel bad, because I’m very privileged and I’m sitting here, in peace (…) You have to stop asking me these questions because I don’t have an answer for you “.
Abramovich, who became one of the richest men in Russia on the ruins of the USSR (more than 13 billion dollars according to Forbes) after notably selling his company’s shares to Gazprom, has still not spoken publicly. . He simply confirmed through his spokesman that he had accepted the Ukrainian regime’s invitation to take part in the “peace talks”. Only his daughter has so far taken a clear position. Against the war and against the invasion led by Vladimir Putin.