Signings, sackings and success:
How Abramovich transformed Chelsea
Kieran CANNING
Thu, 10 March 2022
Chelsea won the Champions League for the second time under
Kieran CANNING
Thu, 10 March 2022
Chelsea won the Champions League for the second time under
Roman Abramovich's ownership last season
Roman Abramovich was in Abu Dhabi last month to watch his beloved Chelsea lift the Club World Cup for the first time, celebrating yet more silverware during his trophy-laden two decades in charge.
In the space of a few weeks, the Russian billionaire has been cornered into putting the London club up for sale and slapped with sanctions by the UK government throwing the Blues into turmoil.
Speculation has been rife since Russia's invasion of Ukraine over whether the 55-year-old would be included in the targeted action against oligarchs perceived to be close to the Kremlin.
Britain's announcement that Abramovich -- described by the government as part of Russian President Vladimir Putin's inner circle -- had been sanctioned, came on the day the European and world club champions celebrated their 117th birthday.
Chelsea can continue playing despite the restrictions on its owner but Abramovich's plans to offload the club have been scuppered.
A new licence would have to be granted by the government for Chelsea to be passed into new ownership and no proceeds would go to Abramovich.
The Chelsea of 2022 are a different beast from the under-achieving club he bought in 2003 for just £140 million ($187 million) at a time when Manchester United and Arsenal ruled the roost in the Premier League.
The club were transformed from also-rans teetering on the brink of a financial crisis into one of the richest in the world thanks to the deep pockets of the Russian, who routinely bankrolled blockbuster transfers.
He has been rewarded with a staggering 19 major trophies in his 19-year reign -- changing the face of English and European football.
"For the first time in our 117 years of existence, we can claim to be the world champions and not only that, we are able to say our men's first team has won every major competition they have been able to enter," the club said on its website before the news of sanctions landed on Thursday.
Abramovich's arrival at Stamford Bridge also set a trend for a wave of foreign investment in the Premier League
Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United are all American-owned, Manchester City have won five of the past 10 titles thanks to Abu Dhabi backing, while Newcastle are now bankrolled by the Saudi sovereign wealth fund.
- 'Special One' -
One of Abramovich's early masterstrokes was to bring in Jose Mourinho as manager to replace Claudio Ranieri in 2004.
The self-styled "Special One", fresh from Champions League success with Porto, delivered a first league championship since 1955 in his first season and repeated the feat in 2006.
The Portuguese departed in 2007 but despite frequent managerial changes the trophies continued to flood in as the Blues belied the idea that stability breeds success.
A total of 13 men have managed the club over the past 19 years, with Mourinho and Guus Hiddink doing so on two occasions.
The unheralded Roberto Di Matteo succeeded where big-name managers Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti had failed by winning the club's first Champions League with an ageing team in 2012.
Even then the Italian was sacked three months into the following season.
Mourinho's two spells account for half of Chelsea's six league titles in their history, yet Abramovich twice decided to part ways with the Portuguese.
The same fate befell the club's all-time top goalscorer, Frank Lampard, last year but the Russian's ruthless approach continued to reap the rewards.
Within four months of succeeding Lampard, Thomas Tuchel was celebrating the club's second Champions League title on the field with Abramovich in Portugal.
Tuchel's admission that it was the first time the pair had met underlined the hands-off approach Abramovich has taken to the day-to-day running of the club.
Director Marina Granovskaia, a close ally of the owner, took the lead on the recruitment of players and managers but the Russian's vast wealth underpinned two decades of almost unbroken success.
Last month's 2-1 victory against Palmeiras in Abu Dhabi completed Abramovich's trophy collection.
"At least we closed this cycle for him and for his effort and his passion and commitment to the club," said Tuchel. "So it was good timing on this matter."
Chelsea's success under Abramovich has made them one of the giants of European football but they face a future clouded by uncertainty.
kca-jw/mw
(AFP/PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU)
Roman Abramovich was in Abu Dhabi last month to watch his beloved Chelsea lift the Club World Cup for the first time, celebrating yet more silverware during his trophy-laden two decades in charge.
In the space of a few weeks, the Russian billionaire has been cornered into putting the London club up for sale and slapped with sanctions by the UK government throwing the Blues into turmoil.
Speculation has been rife since Russia's invasion of Ukraine over whether the 55-year-old would be included in the targeted action against oligarchs perceived to be close to the Kremlin.
Britain's announcement that Abramovich -- described by the government as part of Russian President Vladimir Putin's inner circle -- had been sanctioned, came on the day the European and world club champions celebrated their 117th birthday.
Chelsea can continue playing despite the restrictions on its owner but Abramovich's plans to offload the club have been scuppered.
A new licence would have to be granted by the government for Chelsea to be passed into new ownership and no proceeds would go to Abramovich.
The Chelsea of 2022 are a different beast from the under-achieving club he bought in 2003 for just £140 million ($187 million) at a time when Manchester United and Arsenal ruled the roost in the Premier League.
The club were transformed from also-rans teetering on the brink of a financial crisis into one of the richest in the world thanks to the deep pockets of the Russian, who routinely bankrolled blockbuster transfers.
He has been rewarded with a staggering 19 major trophies in his 19-year reign -- changing the face of English and European football.
"For the first time in our 117 years of existence, we can claim to be the world champions and not only that, we are able to say our men's first team has won every major competition they have been able to enter," the club said on its website before the news of sanctions landed on Thursday.
Abramovich's arrival at Stamford Bridge also set a trend for a wave of foreign investment in the Premier League
Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United are all American-owned, Manchester City have won five of the past 10 titles thanks to Abu Dhabi backing, while Newcastle are now bankrolled by the Saudi sovereign wealth fund.
- 'Special One' -
One of Abramovich's early masterstrokes was to bring in Jose Mourinho as manager to replace Claudio Ranieri in 2004.
The self-styled "Special One", fresh from Champions League success with Porto, delivered a first league championship since 1955 in his first season and repeated the feat in 2006.
The Portuguese departed in 2007 but despite frequent managerial changes the trophies continued to flood in as the Blues belied the idea that stability breeds success.
A total of 13 men have managed the club over the past 19 years, with Mourinho and Guus Hiddink doing so on two occasions.
The unheralded Roberto Di Matteo succeeded where big-name managers Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti had failed by winning the club's first Champions League with an ageing team in 2012.
Even then the Italian was sacked three months into the following season.
Mourinho's two spells account for half of Chelsea's six league titles in their history, yet Abramovich twice decided to part ways with the Portuguese.
The same fate befell the club's all-time top goalscorer, Frank Lampard, last year but the Russian's ruthless approach continued to reap the rewards.
Within four months of succeeding Lampard, Thomas Tuchel was celebrating the club's second Champions League title on the field with Abramovich in Portugal.
Tuchel's admission that it was the first time the pair had met underlined the hands-off approach Abramovich has taken to the day-to-day running of the club.
Director Marina Granovskaia, a close ally of the owner, took the lead on the recruitment of players and managers but the Russian's vast wealth underpinned two decades of almost unbroken success.
Last month's 2-1 victory against Palmeiras in Abu Dhabi completed Abramovich's trophy collection.
"At least we closed this cycle for him and for his effort and his passion and commitment to the club," said Tuchel. "So it was good timing on this matter."
Chelsea's success under Abramovich has made them one of the giants of European football but they face a future clouded by uncertainty.
kca-jw/mw
Holocaust memorial suspends ties with Chelsea’s Abramovich
by AFP
March 10, 2022
Jerusalem (AFP) – Israel’s Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial announced Thursday it has suspended ties with Roman Abramovich, the Russian billionaire owner of Chelsea FC and major donor facing sanctions worldwide following the invasion of Ukraine.
“In light of recent developments, Yad Vashem has decided to suspend the strategic partnership with Mr. Roman Abramovich,” spokesman Simmy Allen said in a statement.
Last month, Yad Vashem announced “a new long-term strategic partnership” with Abramovich that would expand Holocaust research and remembrance. Allen said the Russian was donating “an eight-figure sum”, making Abramovich the memorial’s second-largest donor.
He said the partnership was now suspended.
The museum faced scrutiny after a report in The Washington Post that it had joined the chief Ashkenazi rabbi of Israel, David Lau, and Sheba Medical Centre director general Yitshak Kreiss in urging the US not to sanction Abramovich.
Allen did not confirm the mogul was mentioned, but told AFP that Yad Vashem had signed a letter to the US ambassador to Israel, Thomas Nides, “in order to increase US awareness of the potentially negative consequences of possible economic sanctions in the future upon important causes shared by the US and its ally Israel”.
Abramovich, 55, is facing rising sanctions over his perceived close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
On Thursday, the UK froze his assets and banned him from travel over Russia’s Ukraine invasion launched on February 24.
Chelsea Football Club later said they were pressing for talks with the British government “seeking permission for the licence to be amended in order to allow the club to operate as normal as possible”.
Abramovich had announced last week that he was selling the English Premier League club.
by AFP
March 10, 2022
Jerusalem (AFP) – Israel’s Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial announced Thursday it has suspended ties with Roman Abramovich, the Russian billionaire owner of Chelsea FC and major donor facing sanctions worldwide following the invasion of Ukraine.
“In light of recent developments, Yad Vashem has decided to suspend the strategic partnership with Mr. Roman Abramovich,” spokesman Simmy Allen said in a statement.
Last month, Yad Vashem announced “a new long-term strategic partnership” with Abramovich that would expand Holocaust research and remembrance. Allen said the Russian was donating “an eight-figure sum”, making Abramovich the memorial’s second-largest donor.
He said the partnership was now suspended.
The museum faced scrutiny after a report in The Washington Post that it had joined the chief Ashkenazi rabbi of Israel, David Lau, and Sheba Medical Centre director general Yitshak Kreiss in urging the US not to sanction Abramovich.
Allen did not confirm the mogul was mentioned, but told AFP that Yad Vashem had signed a letter to the US ambassador to Israel, Thomas Nides, “in order to increase US awareness of the potentially negative consequences of possible economic sanctions in the future upon important causes shared by the US and its ally Israel”.
Abramovich, 55, is facing rising sanctions over his perceived close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
On Thursday, the UK froze his assets and banned him from travel over Russia’s Ukraine invasion launched on February 24.
Chelsea Football Club later said they were pressing for talks with the British government “seeking permission for the licence to be amended in order to allow the club to operate as normal as possible”.
Abramovich had announced last week that he was selling the English Premier League club.
Sky Sports chief news reporter Kaveh Solhekol answers all the key questions after Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich was sanctioned by the UK Government, plunging the Premier League club into crisis...
Kaveh Solhekol
Sky Sports News Chief Reporter
Friday 11 March 2022
It has been a seismic day in the history of Chelsea after their Russian owner Roman Abramovich was sanctioned by the UK Government early on Thursday.
The decision to freeze the Blues owner's assets, including his Premier League club based in west London, comes in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The UK Government says Abramovich has links to president Vladimir Putin, despite his denials.
Abramovich announced last week that he is looking to sell the club, but Thursday morning's announcement means that process has been paused for now - and the ownership of the Blues is in the hands of the UK Government.
Chelsea in turmoil - reaction and live blog
Chelsea fixtures
The big question is - now what? What lies ahead for Chelsea as a business and a community? What happens to the all-star squad that Abramovich helped assemble at Stamford Bridge? And can Abramovich still sell the club?
Why has the UK Government punished Roman Abramovich?
"For the past couple of weeks, the UK government have asked the National Crime Agency to find a link between Roman Abramovich and Vladimir Putin.
"They needed to prove beyond doubt that Abramovich was close to Putin, and obviously they have that evidence now and have been able to freeze his assets and issue such strong statements.
"We know for a fact Abramovich was involved in politics. He was a politician; he was basically a member of parliament in Russia, he was the governor of the Chukotka region until 2008.
Image:Roman Abramovich pictured with Vladimir Putin in 2016
"Abramovich was close to former Russian president Boris Yeltsin. It was because of his relationship with Yeltsin that he grew to be so rich. We know that he was close to Putin.
"For his part, Abramovich has stressed that was all in the past, that he is not involved in politics anymore. Obviously, the UK government have looked have at the evidence and decided he is and that he is close to Putin, and in light of what Putin and Russia are doing in Ukraine, his assets have been frozen."
So, what can and can't Chelsea do?
"Sanctions on Abramovich have been imposed to stop him making any money but Chelsea have been given a licence for football-related activity to continue because they are a significant cultural asset.
"They can carry on playing games, their games can be shown on TV and they can continue to receive broadcast revenues. That means they can carry on paying wages and bills but they can't give players new contracts.
"From today [Thursday], Chelsea cannot sell tickets to any games. So the only people who can go to Stamford Bridge and watch a game are those who have already purchased match tickets or season tickets.
"Abramovich was close to former Russian president Boris Yeltsin. It was because of his relationship with Yeltsin that he grew to be so rich. We know that he was close to Putin.
"For his part, Abramovich has stressed that was all in the past, that he is not involved in politics anymore. Obviously, the UK government have looked have at the evidence and decided he is and that he is close to Putin, and in light of what Putin and Russia are doing in Ukraine, his assets have been frozen."
So, what can and can't Chelsea do?
"Sanctions on Abramovich have been imposed to stop him making any money but Chelsea have been given a licence for football-related activity to continue because they are a significant cultural asset.
"They can carry on playing games, their games can be shown on TV and they can continue to receive broadcast revenues. That means they can carry on paying wages and bills but they can't give players new contracts.
"From today [Thursday], Chelsea cannot sell tickets to any games. So the only people who can go to Stamford Bridge and watch a game are those who have already purchased match tickets or season tickets.
The Chelsea supporters trust have called on the Government to act quickly after owner Roman Abramovich was hit with sanctions.
"The club shop is closed; you cannot buy merchandise from Chelsea anymore. You can buy merchandise from third parties, however, providing they still have stock.
"At home games, they are allowed to spend up to £500,000 on security, catering and stewarding. For away games, they are only allowed to spend up to £20,000 on travel.
"No expenditure allowed on new works or refurbishments. Loan arrangements agreed before today can continue and outstanding transfer payments due to clubs can continue to be paid."
What does this all mean for the current Chelsea first-team players - and their women's and youth teams?
"They'll be able to carry on paying their players and day-to-day bills. Chelsea have money to operate. In their latest accounts, they lost £145m for the year, that was covered by Roman Abramovich.
"He won't be able to do that at the moment, but Chelsea have the funds to continue. I would not worry about the short term. Chelsea are not going to go out of business.
"The club shop is closed; you cannot buy merchandise from Chelsea anymore. You can buy merchandise from third parties, however, providing they still have stock.
"At home games, they are allowed to spend up to £500,000 on security, catering and stewarding. For away games, they are only allowed to spend up to £20,000 on travel.
"No expenditure allowed on new works or refurbishments. Loan arrangements agreed before today can continue and outstanding transfer payments due to clubs can continue to be paid."
What does this all mean for the current Chelsea first-team players - and their women's and youth teams?
"They'll be able to carry on paying their players and day-to-day bills. Chelsea have money to operate. In their latest accounts, they lost £145m for the year, that was covered by Roman Abramovich.
"He won't be able to do that at the moment, but Chelsea have the funds to continue. I would not worry about the short term. Chelsea are not going to go out of business.
Image:Chelsea players pre-match against Burnley
"It's business as usual [for the whole club, including women's and youth teams]. They can carry on operating but are under the same restrictions as the first team. The limit of £20k for travel applies to every team.
"The government don't want to damage Chelsea, they recognise it's a cultural asset. They want these teams to carry on running."
Will Chelsea get a points deduction from the Premier League?
"I haven't heard anything to suggest there will be a points deduction from the FA. As far as the Premier League are concerned, they want to manage the process so that Chelsea can continue to operate.
"There is no appetite to punish Chelsea at the moment, the focus is on protecting the integrity of the competitions Chelsea are involved in. The Premier League have already confirmed tonight's match between Norwich and Chelsea will go ahead."
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How can Chelsea fulfil European away games with just a £20,000 budget?
"There's some flexibility when it comes to that. I don't sense it is going to be strictly policed. Chelsea have arrangements in place with their travel partners whereby they are paid in advance of the season."
Can Roman Abramovich still sell Chelsea, despite these sanctions?
"A No 10 spokesman says Abramovich's sale of Chelsea could still happen - but it would need more negotiations with the UK Treasury.
"The UK Government are open to Abramovich selling Chelsea, even though they sanctioned him on Thursday morning, as they are only interested in punishing those close to Putin - not punishing the Chelsea fans.
"Another licence, similar to the football-related activities one, would have to be submitted by the Government to allow Abramovich to sell Chelsea."
Timeline of events since Russia invaded Ukraine
Feb 24: Russian forces begin an invasion of Ukraine
Feb 24: Labour MP Chris Bryant says Abramovich should not be allowed to own the club given Russia's invasion of Ukraine
Feb 24: Bryant used Parliamentary Privilege to reveal Abramovich is selling his UK home and one of his flats, telling the House of Commons he’s 'terrified of being sanctioned'
Feb 26: In a statement, 'stewardship' of the club is handed over to the Chelsea Foundation
March 1: The Charity Commission raise concerns over Abramovich's statement, before he announces his intention to sell Chelsea after 19 years, with the Russian promising to donate money from the sale to help victims of the war in Ukraine
March 3: Gary Neville tells Sky Sports: 'It's more of a reactive measure than a planned measure'
March 5: Chelsea fans sing Abramovich's name during a minute's applause at Turf Moor in support for Ukraine; Thomas Tuchel says he has ‘no problem’ remaining Chelsea boss despite Abramovich's plan to sell the club
March 7: As many as 10 parties consider making bids for the west London club
March 10: Abramovich's attempt to sell Chelsea are halted after the oligarch was sanctioned by the UK government as part of its response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine
"It's business as usual [for the whole club, including women's and youth teams]. They can carry on operating but are under the same restrictions as the first team. The limit of £20k for travel applies to every team.
"The government don't want to damage Chelsea, they recognise it's a cultural asset. They want these teams to carry on running."
Will Chelsea get a points deduction from the Premier League?
"I haven't heard anything to suggest there will be a points deduction from the FA. As far as the Premier League are concerned, they want to manage the process so that Chelsea can continue to operate.
"There is no appetite to punish Chelsea at the moment, the focus is on protecting the integrity of the competitions Chelsea are involved in. The Premier League have already confirmed tonight's match between Norwich and Chelsea will go ahead."
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How can Chelsea fulfil European away games with just a £20,000 budget?
"There's some flexibility when it comes to that. I don't sense it is going to be strictly policed. Chelsea have arrangements in place with their travel partners whereby they are paid in advance of the season."
Can Roman Abramovich still sell Chelsea, despite these sanctions?
"A No 10 spokesman says Abramovich's sale of Chelsea could still happen - but it would need more negotiations with the UK Treasury.
"The UK Government are open to Abramovich selling Chelsea, even though they sanctioned him on Thursday morning, as they are only interested in punishing those close to Putin - not punishing the Chelsea fans.
"Another licence, similar to the football-related activities one, would have to be submitted by the Government to allow Abramovich to sell Chelsea."
Timeline of events since Russia invaded Ukraine
Feb 24: Russian forces begin an invasion of Ukraine
Feb 24: Labour MP Chris Bryant says Abramovich should not be allowed to own the club given Russia's invasion of Ukraine
Feb 24: Bryant used Parliamentary Privilege to reveal Abramovich is selling his UK home and one of his flats, telling the House of Commons he’s 'terrified of being sanctioned'
Feb 26: In a statement, 'stewardship' of the club is handed over to the Chelsea Foundation
March 1: The Charity Commission raise concerns over Abramovich's statement, before he announces his intention to sell Chelsea after 19 years, with the Russian promising to donate money from the sale to help victims of the war in Ukraine
March 3: Gary Neville tells Sky Sports: 'It's more of a reactive measure than a planned measure'
March 5: Chelsea fans sing Abramovich's name during a minute's applause at Turf Moor in support for Ukraine; Thomas Tuchel says he has ‘no problem’ remaining Chelsea boss despite Abramovich's plan to sell the club
March 7: As many as 10 parties consider making bids for the west London club
March 10: Abramovich's attempt to sell Chelsea are halted after the oligarch was sanctioned by the UK government as part of its response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine
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