Former Chelsea Football Club owner Roman Abramovich has spoken publicly for the first time in three years following his forced sale of the club in the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Abramovich, who bought Chelsea in 2003 for a reported £140 million, was sanctioned by the UK government in March 2022 due to alleged ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin. The sanctions came amid rising global outrage over Russia’s military aggression in Ukraine. He subsequently announced that he would sell the club, saying he had “no choice” but to do so in the interest of the club’s stability and fans.
By May 2022, Chelsea was sold to the Todd Boehly–Clearlake Capital consortium for £2.5 billion, with the proceeds placed in a frozen UK bank account, intended to be donated to charitable organisations aiding victims of the war in Ukraine.
Now, in a new revelation from Nick Purewal’s book Sanctioned: The Inside Story of the Sale of Chelsea FC, Abramovich has ruled out any return to football ownership and made it clear he will not pursue any professional role in the sport again.
“I don’t have any interest in any role in a football club, certainly not a professional role.
“There might be something where I could help with academies and youngsters, giving greater opportunities to people from difficult backgrounds, if there were an initiative that could make a difference.
“But as for ownership or a professional role at a club, I am done with that in this lifetime.”
The 58-year-old Russian billionaire also shared his hope to one day return to Stamford Bridge, not as an owner but simply to say goodbye to the fans who supported him during his two-decade reign.
“Perhaps one day there would be a situation where I could attend a match and say a proper goodbye, but nothing more than that.”
Abramovich addressed the accusations surrounding him, including those from the UK government, saying they would not deter him from his personal mission to help others.
“There is an old Russian saying, ‘The dogs bark but the caravan keeps moving,’ and that fits here.
“Whatever I do, people will always accuse me of some kind of agenda. In the end, I have done what I have done simply to try to help.”
His comments come as tensions continue between Abramovich and the UK government over the £2.5 billion generated from the Chelsea sale, which remains frozen in a UK bank account.
According to a report by AFP, UK Finance Minister Rachel Reeves and Foreign Secretary David Lammy expressed deep frustration on Monday over the lack of progress in releasing the funds for humanitarian efforts in Ukraine.
“The government is determined to see the proceeds from the sale of Chelsea Football Club reach humanitarian causes in Ukraine,” said the two ministers in a joint statement.
The statement added, “We are deeply frustrated that it has not been possible to reach agreement on this with Mr Abramovich so far.
“While the door for negotiations will remain open, we are fully prepared to pursue this through the courts if required, to ensure people suffering in Ukraine can benefit from these proceeds as soon as possible.”
Abramovich, however, reportedly insists that the funds should be used to support victims of the conflict on both sides, including those in Russia.
During Abramovich’s 19-year tenure as Chelsea’s owner, the club experienced unprecedented success, winning 21 major trophies including five Premier League titles, two UEFA Champions League titles, two Europa League trophies, and a Club World Cup.
His legacy remains a defining era in Chelsea’s history, but his departure, shrouded in geopolitical tensions and unresolved financial debates, continues to spark conversation both in football and diplomatic circles.