Roman Abramovich sanctions: Chelsea have credit cards temporarily frozen

Chelsea's problems continue to mount after the Premier League side had several credit cards temporarily frozen during bank assessments of the club’s new operating licence, according to reports.

The UK government hit the club's owner Roman Abramovich with sanctions on Thursday, freezing all the Russian billionaire's British assets.

The European and world club champions continuing to operate under special, stringent conditions after the British government claimed to have proven Abramovich’s links to Russian president Vladimir Putin.

Abramovich, 55, 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. Even the club shop has been forced to shut.

And those new Government regulations have led to several company credit cards being paused on a short-term basis as the lending companies seek more detail on that licence.

It is understood Chelsea officials held talks with UK 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.

A 'Closed' sign is seen on the Chelsea shop at Stamford Bridge in London on March 10, 2022, as Chelsea's Russian owner Roman Abramovich was hit with a UK assets freeze. AFP

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

The £20,000 cap