Roman Abramovich blocked from selling Chelsea for destabilising Ukraine

Roman Abramovich’s hopes of a quickfire sell of Chelsea Football Club have been ended after the UK government froze his assets for his ties with Russia president Vladimir Putin.

The Russian put the Blues up for sale last week and he had valued the club at around £4billion.

Abramovich bought the club in 2003 and he’s pumped more than £1.5bn into Chelsea during a trophy-laden 18-and-a-half years at the club.

The 55-year-old had hoped to conclude a deal this week but the UK government have finally decided to sanction him given his connection to Putin.

‘Roman Abramovich is a prominent Russian businessman and pro-Kremlin oligarch,’ a government statement read. ‘Abramovich associated with a person who is or has been involved in destabilising Ukraine and undermining and threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine, namely Vladimir Putin, with whom Abramovich has had a close relationship for decades. ‘This association has included obtaining a financial benefit or other material benefit from Putin and the Government of Russia. This includes tax breaks received by companies linked to Abramovich, buying and selling shares from and to the state at favourable rates, and the contracts received in the run up to the FIFA 2018 World Cup.

‘Therefore, Abramovich has received preferential treatment and concessions from Putin and the Government of Russia. Abramovich is also associated with a person who is or has been involved in obtaining a benefit from or supporting the Government of Russia, namely: former First Deputy Prime Minister, and current Chairman of the Management Board for VEB, Igor Shuvalov; former General Director of Gazprom Investment Holdings, Alisher Usmanov, both of whom were sanctioned on 3