Chelsea FC: Roman Abramovich flees because of the Russian war

EXPRESS Chelsea FC: Roman Abramovich flees because of the Russian war Jonathan Bartels (job) - Yesterday at 20:43 No one at Chelsea had seen club owner Roman Abramovich (55) coming off so quickly. The oligarch announced his withdrawal on Saturday evening (February 26), only two days after the escalation in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Chelsea coach Thomas Tuchel could soon get a new boss. In a statement on the club's website, the Russian explained that he had handed over the management of the club to the trustees of the club's charitable foundation. He always acted in the interest of the club. Therefore, he is now putting administration and supervision in the hands of the trustees, according to Abramovich. Thomas Tuchel talks about sideshows at Chelsea Team manager Thomas Tuchel (48) had previously admitted the effects of uncertainty surrounding the future of the club owner: "We shouldn't pretend that this isn't an issue. The situation for me and my staff, the players, is terrible," he said ahead of the League Cup final against Liverpool on Sunday (February 27, 2022) at Wembley. It brings a lot of “uncertainty” for the club, so Tuchel, “but it’s much worse for the people who are really affected. Our best wishes, our thoughts are with them, that is the most important thing.” English Parliament discusses sanctions against Chelsea owner Abramovich After the invasion of Russian troops in Ukraine, the British parliament is not only discussing Chelsea's club owners. Abramovich is one of numerous oligarchs and companies facing sanctions. It has already been proposed in Parliament to freeze his accounts and confiscate properties including Chelsea. The reason for this: The multi-billionaire is said to be close to Vladimir Putin (69). Abramovich has repeatedly denied these rumors in the past - even sued several people who said he had political connections. Tuchel did not want to go into too much detail about the situation. "There are so many uncertainties surrounding our club and the situation in Britain that it makes no sense for me to comment." However, he conceded that the overall situation masked "our thoughts" and "anticipation for the final". Daughter of Abramovich with a clear statement against the Ukraine war So far, Abramovich has not commented on the Ukraine war. His daughter, meanwhile, made her position unmistakably clear on Instagram. In her story, Sofia Abramovich posted an anti-Putin banner decrying the phrase “Russia wants war with Ukraine.” But the word Russia is crossed out, and the word “Putin” is denounced above it. Underneath it you can also read: "The biggest and most successful lie of Kremlin propaganda is that most Russians are behind Putin". At the bottom you can also see a picture of the Russian President behind a red prohibition sign. So the daughter of the Chelsea owner seems to be clearly against the Ukraine war. The pressure on the multi-billionaire had continued to increase. British Labor MP Chris Bryant (60) called Abramovich an unsuitable owner of the Blues and called on Chelsea owner and ex-Arsenal shareholder Alisher Usmanov (68) "to make absolutely clear now that they oppose the illegal invasion of Ukraine". Media: Chelsea takeover offers already on the table The US business portal "Bloomberg" even reported on a first offer this month, which the Russian billionaire rejected. Now other investors would prepare new offers for a takeover of the Blues. The value of Chelsea FC is currently estimated at around 1.9 billion euros. Abramovich took over the London club in 2003 for almost 210 million euros. A sum that is said to have increased to around 764 million euros in 2008 through redemption and salaries. How much he has invested to date is not entirely clear. (sid/job)