Chelsea have bank accounts temporarily frozen amid Roman Abramovich sanctions

Chelsea have had several accounts temporarily frozen while banks assess the Stamford Bridge club’s new operating licence, the PA news agency understands.

Roman Abramovich’s UK government sanctions have frozen all the billionaire’s UK assets barring Chelsea, with the club continuing to operate under special, stringent conditions.

Owner Abramovich was sanctioned on Thursday after the Conservative government claimed to have proven the 55-year-old’s links to Russian president Vladimir Putin.

Russian-Israeli billionaire Abramovich has always denied links to Russia’s current regime, but Putin’s war in Ukraine has led to a major geopolitical shift.

Chelsea’s strict licence is designed to ensure Abramovich will not profit amid the Stamford Bridge club’s continued operations, with ticket sales banned and an embargo on new transfers and new contracts for existing stars.

And those new government regulations have led banks to hit pause on a number of Chelsea accounts on a short-term basis to seek more detail on that licence.

Chelsea are understood to be hopeful the suspensions will be lifted shortly, moving the west London club closer back towards normal operation.

Blues chiefs were understood to have been locked in negotiations with government officials throughout Friday on amendments to that new licence.

Chelsea expect negotiations with Downing Street to continue into next week as the two parties thrash out an easing of the restrictions.

The Premier League club will seek a relaxation of limits like the £20,000 (€23,895) travel cap for away matches for example, with a typical Premier League spend far closer to £30,000 per match.

Chelsea are thought to have their travel and accommodation bills already paid for the rest of this