The British government has now warned that it is preparing possible legal action against the Russian businessman after he missed a key deadline to release funds from the sale of Chelsea Football Club.
The 59‑year‑old was given 90 days to act, with officials telling him that if he did not do so within 90 days, the government would take him to court in the UK. That deadline has now passed.
Government legal representatives wrote to Mr Abramovich’s legal team on Monday, signalling that ministers are ready to move forward with a court challenge to unlock the money.
At the heart of the dispute is how and where the cash will be used. While Abramovich has consistently said he wants donations to go to “all victims of the war in Ukraine”, UK officials have made clear they will only accept a plan that directs support to “the most vulnerable in Ukraine”, not more broadly or potentially into Russia.
There is also disagreement over the precise sum that should be released.
The government wants the full £2.5bn generated when the club was sold in 2022, a deal led by a consortium including Behdad Eghbali and Todd Boehly, to be delivered for humanitarian aid.
Despite Abramovich’s original pledge to donate the proceeds following his sanctioned sale of Chelsea, the funds have remained frozen in the UK, partly because of legal wrangling over their use and ongoing investigations into the origins of parts of the money.
The government insists it will pursue the matter through the courts if necessary to ensure the funds reach those harmed by the war.
