‘This is really interesting’: What Chelsea are still able to do after Abramovich is sanctioned

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Chelsea will still be able to continue with several football-related activities in light of owner Roman Abramovich being sanctioned by the UK government on Thursday, it’s been confirmed.

Chelsea owner Abramovich, 55, has been sanctioned due to connections with Russian president Russian president Vladimir Putin, as well as former First Deputy Prime Minister Igor Shuvalov. It means Abramovich has been hit with assets being frozen and travel bans.

It comes at a time when the Blues owner publicly stated last week his intention to sell Chelsea.

The government has announced a licence with guidelines Chelsea can operate in. For example, the Premier League giants will still be able to compete in matches. A number of “football-related activities”, unspecified, can also continue at Stamford Bridge.

There is huge drama off the pitch involving a potential takeover and their owner Abramovich, so it’s at least a relief for the club’s players and coaching staff knowing they can continue focusing on football on the pitch.

As the Abramovich news broke this morning, Sky Sports presenter Jo Wilson gave her immediate reaction:

“A lot of our focus will be on what his actually means for Chelsea football club and the potential sale of that. This is really interesting because given the significant impact that today’s sanctions would have on Chelsea football club, and the potential knock on effects of this, the government has this morning published a licence which authorises a number of football-related activities to continue…” she said.

Chelsea fans strap in

It’s a mini boost that the team will continue to play games in the immediate future. There are surely so many more twists and turns involving potential takeovers, though.

Click here for The Chelsea Chronicle’s latest updates about Abramovich.

By the way, the Blues travel to Norwich City tonight in the league for a 7:30pm kick-off. It will be a welcomed distraction for a couple of hours at least from the huge uncertainty around the club.

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