Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich included in latest UK sanctions

Britain has imposed asset freezes on seven further Russian businessmen, including Chelsea football club owner Roman Abramovich and Igor Sechin, the chief executive of Russian oil group Rosneft.

In total Britain said the seven oligarchs added to the sanctions list because of their connections to Russian President Vladimir Putin had a collective net worth of £15bn.

The government said it would enable Chelsea to continue playing matches, but the sanctions will halt Mr Abramovich's plan to sell the English Premier League side.

Mr Abramovich had put the club up for sale, but Britain's asset freeze and sanctions on him bar that process under the terms of the licence granted to the club.

Nadine Dorries, Britain's minister for sport, said the government had issued a special licence to enable Chelsea to play fixtures, pay staff and enable ticket holders to attend matches, because it did not want to harm the reigning European and world soccer champions.

"I know this brings some uncertainty, but the government will work with the league and clubs to keep football being played while ensuring sanctions hit those intended," she said on Twitter.

"Football clubs are cultural assets and the bedrock of our communities. We're committed to protecting them."

The government said the licence would be kept under review.

"There can be no safe havens for those who have supported Putin's vicious assault on Ukraine," British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said.

"Today's sanctions are the latest step in the UK’s unwavering support for the Ukrainian people. We will be ruthless in pursuing those who enable the killing of civilians, destruction of hospitals and illegal occupation of sovereign allies."

There have been growing calls from British politicians for