Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has stepped down from his duties in charge of the club. Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has announced he is handing over the reigns of the club to the “trustees of Chelsea’s charitable Foundation” amid Russia’s ongoing war with Ukraine.
The Russian billionaire has maintained a silent ownership of Chelsea throughout his time at the helm of the west London club. But Abramovich released a statement on Saturday night that he was handing the “stewardship and care” of Chelsea to the club’s charitable foundation.
He said on Chelsea’s official website: “During my nearly 20-year ownership of Chelsea FC, I have always viewed my role as a custodian of the Club, whose job it is ensuring that we are as successful as we can be today, as well as build for the future, while also playing a positive role in our communities. ”I have always taken decisions with the Club’s best interest at heart. I remain committed to these values.
”I believe that currently they are in the best position to look after the interests of the Club, players, staff, and fans. ”Abramovich’s decision to step backs comes after several MPs made it clear they thought the Chelsea owner shouldn’t be in charge of the European champions due to his alleged links to Vladimir Putin.Labour MP Chris Bryant said on Friday that
Abramovich’s assets should be seized by the UK over allegations from a leaked 2019 Home Office document.Bryant told the Commons: “I’ve got hold of a leaked document from 2019, from the Home Office, which says in relation to Mr Abramovich: ‘As part of HMG’s [Her Majesty’s government] Russia strategy aimed at targeting illicit finance and malign activity, Abramovich remains of interest to HMG due to his links to the Russian state and his public association with corrupt activity and practices.”
