Roman Abramovich: Death and destruction in Ukraine overshadows Russian oligarch's legacy at Chelsea

By Issy Ronald and Jack Bantock, CNN

Updated 0501 GMT (1301 HKT) March 12, 2022

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(CNN)For almost 20 years, Roman Abramovich rocketed Chelsea from a club on the periphery of the elite to a global football superpower, but Russia's invasion of Ukraine has resulted in his reign coming to an abrupt end.

Bloody conflict in Ukraine and international outrage over Russia's invasion placed a renewed focus on Abramovich and his ownership of Chelsea. It's a focus that has shone a light on the jarring friction between sport and politics: Abramovich the dream-realizing football owner — adored by much of the Chelsea fanbase — versus Abramovich the Russian oligarch.Days after the