The UK government has warned that it may take legal action against former Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich to unlock £2.5 billion from the sale of the club, which has remained frozen since 2022.
Abramovich sold Chelsea after being sanctioned due to his alleged ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The funds were intended to support humanitarian causes in Ukraine, but negotiations over their release have stalled.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Foreign Secretary David Lammy expressed frustration over the delay, stating that while they remain open to discussions, they are prepared to pursue the matter in court if necessary. The money is currently held in a UK bank account and cannot be moved without approval from the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation.
Abramovich had previously pledged that the proceeds would go toward victims of the war, but disagreements over the distribution of the funds have prevented any progress. The government insists that the money should be directed exclusively to humanitarian efforts in Ukraine, while Abramovich reportedly wants it to benefit all victims of the conflict, including Russians.
With tensions rising, the UK government is determined to resolve the issue and ensure that the funds are used as originally intended. If negotiations fail, legal proceedings could soon follow.
Chelsea performance and stats
Chelsea
Chelsea is currently 1st in the Europa Conference League with 18 points.
In the last 15 games, it has won 13 times and lost twice. In its last match, Chelsea won 1-4 against Real Betis.
It has a positive goal difference after scoring 26 goals and conceding 5.
