Don’t play politics – Paul Canoville demands Chelsea are sold ‘without delay’

Paul Canoville has urged the UK Government not to “play politics” with Chelsea but instead to oversee a quick change of ownership at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea’s first black player has revealed there is a state of alarm at the west London club, with some staff fearing for their jobs.

Owner Roman Abramovich was sanctioned by the Government on Thursday as the Conservatives claim to have proven the Russian-Israeli billionaire has links to Vladimir Putin.

Abramovich had put Chelsea up for sale on March 2 amid Russia’s continued invasion of Ukraine, but Thursday’s government sanctions have stalled that process.

While Abramovich’s other UK assets are frozen Chelsea can still operate under special licence, but Canoville is worried the current limbo could drag on.

Chelsea will continue negotiations with the Government over the current operating licence, with Blues bosses and Conservative chiefs understood to be hopeful of striking eventual consensus on a range of amendments to ease the club’s situation.

The 60-year-old former Blues winger denounced Putin’s war in Ukraine, before issuing an impassioned plea for his old club’s future.

“My heart sank when I woke to the headlines of Chelsea being compromised by the Government due to the owner being sanctioned,” Canoville told the PA news agency.

“I think that every sane and rational human being is entirely opposed to the war Putin is raging in Ukraine. It is depraved and I thoroughly condemn it.

“If, as the Government is claiming, Roman Abramovich is associated with Putin then I wholeheartedly agree with his being sanctioned and being made to forfeit ownership of my football club.

I have been speaking to members of the Chelsea Foundation staff who are in tears and are desperate to