The UK government through the Culture secretary Nadine Dorries has said efforts will be made to protect the game of football as well as Chelsea Football Club.It will be recalled the government on Thursday froze assets belonging to Russian oligarch, Roman Abramovich.
“Our focus here is to ensure we apply for the licence in order to protect the game, the club and its fans,” she said according to BBC.
“Roman Abramovich cannot benefit from the club, but it is important to note that fans with existing tickets and existing season ticket holders can still go to matches. The matches will still go ahead, the staff at the club will still get paid and the players can still play.”
“This country abides by the rule of law. In order to sanction someone, you have to have the evidence to do so. I know the Foreign Office has been working very hard to gather than evidence together. They have now done so which is why those sanctions were announced this morning, which included Abramovich.”
While Chelsea’s sale is on hold for now, there have been plenty of potential suitors.
On Wednesday, the BBC reported there were 20 credible interested parties being handled by the US-based Raine Group.
British property developer Nick Candy was “actively exploring a number of options for a potential bid”..
Candy, a boyhood Chelsea fan, was trying to form a consortium with a number of international investors.
Abramovich has pledged to donate all funds from a Chelsea sale into a new foundation to benefit victims of Russia’s war in Ukraine.
And should the Blues owner be able to prove his plans to Government officials, the sale of the Stamford Bridge club could yet go ahead.