Premier League chief executive gives Abramovich deadline for sale and change of ownership of Chelsea FC

Premier League chief executive Richard Masters believes Roman Abramovich has made the ‘right decision’ in putting Chelsea up for sale and said a change of ownership could go through in just 10 days.

Masters said the Russian-Israeli billionaire’s ownership of the Stamford Bridge club was ‘unsustainable’ in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

He confirmed there will be a show of support for Ukraine at Premier League fixtures this weekend and that broadcasting deals in Russia were ‘under review’.

And Masters also confirmed a human rights element to the owners’ and directors’ test in English football is being considered with the Premier League in consultations with Amnesty International.

Abramovich, who has owned Chelsea since 2003, confirmed he was putting the club up for sale in a statement on Wednesday evening with the asking price £3billion.

Asked how quickly Chelsea could be sold, Masters told the Financial Times Business of Football Summit in London: ‘I think the quickest one we have ever done is 10 days but that’s not to say that record cannot be beaten.

‘Normally it will take a number of weeks but that will depend on the complexity of the deal really and the number of potential owners.

‘Provided that the information is easily digestible, easily understandable and gives us the right answers, it can be done relatively quickly.