https://www.si.com/soccer/2022/03/02/roman-abramovich-decision-sell-chelsea-russia-ukraine#:~:text=Chelsea%20Owner%20Roman%20Abramovich%20Announces%20Decision%20to%20Sell%20Club&text=Chelsea%20owner%20Roman%20Abramovich%20has,sanctions%20from%20the%20British%20government.

Quote:

---

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has announced his intention to sell the club amid external pressure regarding the war in Ukraine and the threat of sanctions from the British government.

The Russian oligarch bought Chelsea for nearly $190 million in 2003 and has reportedly turned down offers of 2.2 billion ($2.9 billion) for the club in the past.

"I would like to address the speculation in media over the past few days in relation to my ownership of Chelsea FC," Abramovich said in a statement. "As I have stated before, I have always taken decisions with the club's best interest at heart. In the current situation, I have therefore taken the decision to sell the club, as I believe this is in the best interest of the club, the fans, the employees, as well as the club's sponsors and partners.

---

Some good conversation about this over on the CFC thread.

https://texags.com/forums/51/topics/3201929/last#last

Haha - we have a pretty open-door policy when it comes to club threads around here.

Ha! I was there for the previous sale worries and Zola's departure. I'll be here for what's next

I find it funny that it appears the EPL is drawing the line at this.

Most of us aren't going anywhere. Should be some highly competitive buyers for them since they're one of the most valuable teams in the EPL, and they're also in London. Abramovich thinks they're worth $3B but that's overvalued IMO. If they had a stadium as nice as Tottenham I could see it it approaching that figure. The Saudis are probably kicking themselves for buying Newcastle. The bar will be set high for the buyer, Abramovich put a ton of money into the club, won a ton of trophies during his tenure. I do wonder if they get bought by a Brit since the most valuable clubs in the EPL are owned outside the UK. Americans own Man U, Liverpool, and Arsenal, Man City in the Middle East, and Chelsea by a Russian.

BBRex said:

---

Ha! I was there for the previous sale worries and Zola's departure. I'll be here for what's next

---

Ditto.

Hopefully the next owner is just as passionate and demands success.


Now we wait

You guys are still set up for success. Mostly good players, decent manager, really good youth system.

Yall will be fine. Granted maybe you can't afford to have your 75m-100m signings suck all the time now.

Trying to cash out before it's taken from him for nothing the next time the UK ratchets up their sanctions. Can't sail a football club to the Maldives

Wonder if he is asking for payment in bitcoin.

wangus12 said:

---

You guys are still set up for success. Mostly good players, decent manager, really good youth system.

Yall will be fine. Granted maybe you can't afford to have your 75m-100m signings suck all the time now.

---

Completely agree.


This entire situation still blows my effing mind. You don't just sell a team like this for "public image" or damage control. RA clearly fears the worst and doesn't want to gamble.


My gut tells me this won't end well for him.



But now the bigger question...who takes control of the club and for how much?!

Most of the early interest appears to be from Americans, including the owner of the Lakers. My early prediction was that it would be an American sports group like the owners of Arsenal & Liverpool, and I'm sticking with that.

Strangely Attractive said:

---

Most of the early interest appears to be from Americans, including the owner of the Lakers. My early prediction was that it would be an American sports group like the owners of Arsenal & Liverpool, and I'm sticking with that.

---

I would support this.

Really want the new owner to be either American or from the EU.

Breaking news. Roman sanctioned in UK.

Massive news: Roman Abramovich sanctioned. All UK assets frozen. Chelsea can still operate under a special licence but sale now on hold. Club will not be allowed to sell any more tickets - only season ticket holders can go to games for the foreseeable future.

— Martyn Ziegler (@martynziegler) March 10, 2022

Also: no merchandise sales allowed; no player transfers or new contracts; catering services will be permitted.

— Martyn Ziegler (@martynziegler) March 10, 2022

The British government...

But they have catering still. Not all bad news.

This is not going to go well for Chelski. Hopefully there is a happy ending, but the summer transfer season is going to be brutal.

They also announced that the club cannot spend more that $20000 for travel to away matches.

Ummm they travel away to Lille next Wednesday. Good luck getting everyone to France for $20k. Maybe they will rent 10 minivans.

If that $20k also includes food and housing while away they cant manage it. buddy of mine said "youth hostels and happy meals".

Mathguy64 said:

---

If that $20k also includes food and housing while away they cant manage it. buddy of mine said "youth hostels and happy meals".

---

I assume the way around it is having players purchase some stuff and reimburse when this is all over.

Is that the hooligan bus from Eurotrip?

Indeed it is.

Can I chip in for that? That sounds like the best tailgate ever. I don't need to watch game day.