Chelsea

[Irishnev]

One of the biggest fall outs will have to be players questioning the morality of playing there under him now. They could always brush it under the carpet but now it’s out there…… I wonder if some will ask to leave

[Mark79]

[ame]https://twitter.com/matt_law_dt/status/1501867877166632963[/ame]

[Buzzo]

I wonder if there is any collusion/sweet heart deal here? Where everyone is seen to be doing the 'right' thing to achieve a higher objective? The goal here is surely to compel Abramovich to be able to pressurise Putin? i guess it depends what the communication is between UK Govt and Abramovich but surely there is maximum back channeling and subterfuge at play? Every action designed to create a reaction.

[Alex]

Well he was essentially give 14 days notice of this wasn't he? Not beyond the realms that he knew this was coming and moved his money.

[Irishnev]

https://twitter.com/matt_law_dt/stat...67877166632963

Can someone post the article please

[Fivex]

Can someone post the article please

Sale of Chelsea can still go through if Roman Abramovich agrees to allow Government to take over the process

Chelsea could still be sold if Roman Abramovich hands over the process to the UK Government and Telegraph Sport can reveal prospective buyers have not been put off by the Russian billionaire having his assets frozen.

Abramovich was officially sanctioned on Thursday, which effectively plunged Chelsea into a state of paralysis with the club no longer able to sell match-day tickets, merchandise or renegotiate contracts.

But a sale of Chelsea could still go through if Abramovich agrees to allow the Government to take over the process and decide where the funds, which are likely to top £2 billion, from any deal go.

The existing licence to freeze his assets currently prevents Abramovich from selling the club under the current government sanctions that were imposed on Thursday.

However, Telegraph Sport understands that special dispensation will be considered if the Government sees a sale of ownership as in the best interests of Chelsea that does not benefit Abramovich, although a new licence would have to be applied for.

Bidders have so far been left in the dark over whether or not Abramovich will do this, with New York-based merchant bank Raine currently handling the sale.

But Telegraph Sport has contacted one of the prospective buyers who have insisted their interest remains just as strong as it was and are hopeful a solution can be found that allows a sale of Chelsea.

Roman Abramovich through the years
The most likely solution would seem to be that rather than the proceeds of a sale going to a charity fund set up by Abramovich, they instead go into a fund set up by the Government. But with his assets frozen rather than seized that would still need to be agreed to by the 55-year-old.

Abramovich would appear to have little choice than to eventually agree, with the alternative seemingly presenting a doomsday scenario for Chelsea in which the club remains in a state of paralysis and slowly decays.

Sources close to Abramovich have always argued that he is desperate to protect his Chelsea legacy and his only way of doing this with supporters would appear to be to agree to whatever it takes for the club to be sold.

American billionaire Todd Boehly, together with Hansjorg Wyss and another businessman, have already made a bid believed to be between £2bn and £2.5bn which remains on the table, while the Ricketts family and New York Jets owner Woody Johnson are understood to be interested. British billionaire Nick Candy and Turkish businessman Muhsin Bayrak have also claimed to be in the running.

[Buzzo]

Well he was essentially give 14 days notice of this wasn't he? Not beyond the realms that he knew this was coming and moved his money.

Yeah the timing is definitely of interest. And there is a higher objective now than just exposing the dirty money that funded Chelsea.

[rudedog]

I wouldn’t trust the UK governments role in this, the lack of action so far makes you wonder how much collusion is going on between them and Putin.

It could all just be a massive face saving exercise so Joe public thinks that the government are actually doing something.

[shanks69]

Will any of their home games still be shown on tv,afterall if they can't sell anything such as merchandise surely they cannot accept tv money?

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[Alex]

Already factored in. You would think the Government wouldnt want to destroy the club, just crowbar him out.

[Assassin]

Already factored in. You would think the Government wouldnt want to destroy the club, just crowbar him out.

The club is of no historic value, so I see no reason for the government to protect it

[Mark79]

Will any of their home games still be shown on tv,afterall if they can't sell anything such as merchandise surely they cannot accept tv money?

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Their games will still be broadcast. Money received from TV will be frozen.

[Shaggy]

Fingers crossed

[ame]https://twitter.com/edthompsn/status/1501911008314597379[/ame]

[Buzzo]

That debt should never be allowed to exist let alone be written off. Football wise this could set a bit of precedent.

[Norbs]

Norbs wasn't it?!?!??!

Yes, I had hoped a human could be doing something honourable