Roman Abramovich: the Russian tycoon who transformed Chelsea

Roman Abramovich rose from a penniless background in Russia's frozen north to become a multi-billionaire and a celebrity football tycoon who transformed the fortunes of one of England's most famous clubs. But his empire was left teetering after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which raised questions about his closeness to the Kremlin, as harsh sanctions began to be slapped on supporters of Vladimir Putin. As speculation swirled that he also could be targeted, he said on Wednesday he was selling Premier League side Chelsea "in the best interest of the club, the fans, the employees, as well as the club's sponsors and partners".

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Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich on Wednesday confirmed he will sell the Premier League club amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Abramovich, 55, was one of the businessmen working in the shadows following Russia's collapse in the 1990s, seizing control of lucrative assets once held by the Soviet state, at bargain prices. In Abramovich's case, a controlling investment in the oil company Sibneft provided the vehicle for his rise. He had made money early on with a firm making rubber toys, after growing up an orphan from a Jewish family in the harsh far north. He is today worth $12.4 billion, according to the latest data from Forbes magazine, and as well as turning Chelsea into a European powerhouse has stakes in steel giant Evraz and Norilsk Nickel. His property holdings include a 15-bedroom mansion in London's exclusive Kensington area, and he also owns one of the world's largest yachts, the 533-foot (162-metre) Eclipse.

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Thomas Tuchel admitted he cannot