LONDON (Parliament Politics Magazine) – The UK government has sanctioned Chelsea FC owner Roman Abramovich as part of its response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
He is one of seven oligarchs who have been sanctioned with new measures including travel bans and asset freezes.
Oleg Deripaska and Igor Sechin, both billionaires and Vladimir Putin’s cronies, are also on the list.
“There can be no safe havens” for individuals who supported the invasion, PM Boris Johnson stated.
The sanctions imposed today are the latest manifestation of the United Kingdom’s steadfast support for the Ukrainian people. The UK will pursue those who facilitate the killing of civilians, the devastation of hospitals, and the illegitimate takeover of sovereign allies, Mr. Johnson explained.
Mr Abramovich, who stated he made the “tough decision” of selling Chelsea FC earlier this month, has put pressure on the government to sanction him.
According to the government, a special licence will be issued that will allow fixtures to be completed, employees to be paid, and existing ticket holders to attend matches.
Season ticket holders can still attend games for which they have tickets, but the club is no longer able to sell more tickets. The merchandise shop for the club will be closed.
The 55-year-old Abramovich is accused of having close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin, which he denies.
Mr Abramovich, who’s net worth is estimated to be of £9.4 billion, is among the few oligarchs from the 1990s to maintain importance under Putin, according to the authorities.
Mr. Abramovich owns shares in Evraz, Norilsk Nickel, and Sibneft, a Russian oil company that he sold to state-owned gas giant Gazprom for £9.87 billion in 2005.
While the fines against him cast doubt on Chelsea FC’s future, authorities reassured the club that it would not be “unnecessarily harmed.”
Nadine Dorries, Culture Secretary, stated in a tweet that holding those who supported the Putin dictatorship to account was a top priority.
She wrote she understood that this creates some uncertainty, but the government would cooperate with the league and clubs to ensure that football continues to be played while sanctions are enforced.
Since the invasion of Ukraine on February 24, the UK and its western allies have been ramping up sanctions against firms and individuals associated with President Putin.
The UK’s “efforts to isolate Putin and those around him” included sanctions against “seven of Russia’s wealthiest and most prominent oligarchs,” according to the government.
