Roman Abramovich has been disqualified as a director of Chelsea by the Premier League.
The decision comes in the wake of the UK government’s decision to sanction the Russian oligarch and freeze his assets.
A statement from the English top-flight confirmed the decision on Saturday, but the club will still be allowed to play games despite the decision.
“Following the imposition of sanctions by the UK Government, the Premier League Board has disqualified Roman Abramovich as a Director of Chelsea Football Club.
“The Board’s decision does not impact on the club’s ability to train and play its fixtures, as set out under the terms of a licence issued by the Government which expires on 31 May 2022.”
“The announcement from the Premier League doesn’t change a lot except to say that Abramovich isn’t welcome in English football.
“It comes after the UK government’s statement that Abramovich was being sanctioned amid a ‘pro-Kremlin’ stance and that he had ‘a close relationship with warlord Vladimir Putin for decades’. He was also accused of ‘destabilising Ukraine’.
“Abramovich has now been essentially removed from his role as a director, which had been in place since his 2003 takeover of the Blues. Such a move would have normally forced the Russian into a sale, although it is immaterial in that sense as the process of selling Chelsea is already underway.
“As for how this affect Chelsea on the pitch, it will be ‘business as usual’, as Thomas Tuchel put it after the win over Norwich, with the west Londoners still able to fulfil their match duties in the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League.”
Abramovich announced last week that he was passing on the stewardship of Chelsea to trustees in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
The 55-year-old put the club up for sale and expected bids of over £3 billion, but his assets were frozen as the UK Government takes action against figures associated with Russian president Vladimir Putin.
Swiss-American pair Hansjorg Wyss and Todd Boehly, Turkish billionaire Muhsin Bayrak and American duo Jamie Reuben and Nick Candy are among the candidates to express interest in taking ownership since Abramovich confirmed he wants to sell.
