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"Actions have consequences" - UK govt gives update on Chelsea seizure

Chelsea have had to receive as special licence from the UK government to fulfil their upcoming fi...
Richie McCormack
Richie McCormack

15.20 10 Mar 2022


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"Actions have consequence...

"Actions have consequences" - UK govt gives update on Chelsea seizure

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Richie McCormack
Richie McCormack

15.20 10 Mar 2022


Share this article


Chelsea have had to receive as special licence from the UK government to fulfil their upcoming fixtures. 

The Premier League club is considered one of Abramovich's assets, which have been seized following the imposing of sanctions on the Chelsea owner.

Abramovich's long-standing links to Russian president Vladimir Putin have seen Boris Johnson's government take action, putting Chelsea's immediate future in jeopardy.

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They're away to Norwich on Thursday night, and had to be granted special dispensation to play the game - and Sunday's visit of Newcastle to Stamford Bridge.

A 155-word statement by Chelsea was released following the effective seizure of the club:

By virtue of his 100 per cent ownership of Chelsea FC plc and affiliated entities, Chelsea FC would normally be subject to the same sanctions regime as Mr Abramovich. However, the UK Government has issued a general licence that permits Chelsea FC to continue certain activities.

We will fulfil our men’s and women’s team fixtures today against Norwich and West Ham, respectively, and intend to engage in discussions with the UK Government regarding the scope of the licence. This will include seeking permission for the licence to be amended in order to allow the Club to operate as normal as possible. We will also be seeking guidance from the UK Government on the impact of these measures on the Chelsea Foundation and its important work in our communities.

The Club will update further when it is appropriate to do so.

The sale of the club has also been put on hold, something Abramovich had to expedite due to the threat of sanctions which have now come to pass.

However, UK Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries revealed on Wednesday that Chelsea could yet be sold, but Abramovich would not see a penny in return.

"If the club is sold, Abramovich will not benefit," she told reporters.

"I'm not going to get into the weeds of what will happen in the future in terms of the sale of Chelsea, that will depend on the terms of the licence which will be issued by the Treasury."

Dorries also told BBC Radio 5 Live, "If it sells tickets and it sells merchandise, Abramovich who owns the club, will benefit. That can’t happen.

"Our focus was on protecting the club and the national game, and the fans, that was our focus and we think we’ve done that by the licence measures that we’ve put in place."

She added, "Abramovich has links to Putin who is mounting a barbaric and evil attack against the people of Ukraine. This government, we in this department, stand with the people of Ukraine.

"As I’ve said, I’m afraid sanctions have consequences. Abramovich’s actions have consequences too."

Road of Russian embassy could be located on “Independent Ukraine Road”


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Chelsea Nadine Dorries Roman Abramovich Russia Ukraine Vladimir Putin

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