Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich has officially announced that Chelsea, one of England’s biggest football clubs, is for sale. The decision was taken after the beginning of conflicts between Russia and Ukraine. According to some British tabloids, the sale has to do with the image and repercussion that the billionaire’s Russian nationality can cause, however, Roman denied the rumors.
Several rumors had already been reported by the media involving the sale of the club, however Abramovich himself announced the decision through the team’s social networks. In addition to confirming the sale, the billionaire also announced that the profits from the deal will not stay with him, but will be donated to a fund to help victims of the war in Ukraine.
Check out the full statement released on Chelsea’s social media:
I would like to address the media speculation in recent days regarding my ownership of Chelsea FC. As I have said before, I have always made decisions with the best interests of the Club in mind. In the current situation, I therefore took the decision to sell the Club, as I believe it is in the interests of the Club, the fans, the employees, as well as the Club’s sponsors and partners.
The sale of the Club will not be accelerated, but will follow due process. I will not ask for any loan to be repaid. It was never about business or money for me, it was about pure passion for the game and the club. In addition, I instructed my team to create a charitable foundation where all net proceeds from the sale will be donated. The foundation will be for the benefit of all victims of the war in Ukraine. This includes providing essential funds for the urgent and immediate needs of victims, as well as supporting long-term recovery work.
Please know that this was an incredibly difficult decision to make, and it pains me to part with the Club in this way. However, I believe this is in the best interest of the club.
I hope I can visit Stamford Bridge one last time to say goodbye to you all in person. It has been a privilege of a lifetime to be part of Chelsea FC and I am proud of all our joint achievements. Chelsea Football Club and their fans will always be in my heart.
According to Forbes magazine, Chelsea is valued at around £2 billion. The value, converted to real, is around R$ 10 billion. More information on the sale of the club and potential buyers should be released soon.
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