As a Chelsea fan Abramovich’s reluctance to confront Putin never sat right

We Chelsea fans are accustomed to defending ourselves. 

Ever since Roman Abramovich, one of Russia’s richest men, bought the club for £140million in 2003, investing huge amounts to buy new players and reverse the club’s fortunes, the Blues have mockingly been known as Chelski FC. But now, perhaps, no more? 

On Wednesday, the 55-year-old billionaire announced that he would be selling the club – and that net proceeds of the sale would be donated to victims of the war in Ukraine. And as for the gargantuan £1.5billion that the tycoon has loaned the club over his years of tenure? He’s prepared to write that off. 

Over the course of the last 19 years, the club has claimed five Premier League wins, two Champions League titles and a wealth of domestic silverware. 

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But in the last few days, Russia has invaded Ukraine, bringing with it widespread, global condemnation for President Vladimir Putin’s regime. What was embarrassing for Chelsea this week became untenable. It was longer possible to separate Abramovich’s money fromPutin’s reign in the way that Chelsea fans have always tried to. 

But this move has only come after a week of mounting pressure. On Saturday, Abramovich hastily released an eyebrow-raising statement of intent to hand over ‘stewardship’ – not ownership – of Chelsea to trustees of the club’s charitable foundation. (Not only did the statement equal precisely zero concrete action, but it didn’t mention either Russia or Ukraine).

That shot hit the post when the foundation went on the defensive, saying they had not agreed to take over the club. The move, widely criticised as an empty PR ruse, is now being scrutinised by the Charity