ROMAN'S RULES
Can Roman Abramovich sell Chelsea and can they make transfers? All you need to know after Russian is sanctioned
CHELSEA’S future has been plunged into doubt after Roman Abramovich was accused of being involved in funding and equipping Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and placed on the UK sanctions list.
The move freezes Abramovich’s assets, including Chelsea.
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And while the club will be allowed to continue to operate and play matches under a special licence, it can only do so under onerous conditions that also prevent the sale of the Blues.
SunSport attempts to explain what it all means...
WHAT HAPPENED?
The Government announced all Roman Abramovoch’s assets, including Chelsea, had been frozen after naming him as an acolyte of Vladimir Putin and accusing him of aiding and abetting Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
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AND CHELSEA?
The Government’s “licence” allows the Blues to “fulfil its fixtures and carry out football business, without undermining the impact of sanctions” but with significant conditions attached.
WHAT CONDITIONS?
Chelsea can pay the wages of all employees and for all the “reasonable costs necessary to host fixtures”, including providing security, catering and stewards, up to a maximum of £500,000. They can also meet and receive pre-existing contractual payments regarding previous transfer and loan dealings.
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ISN’T THERE A TRAVEL CAP?
The licence allows travel expenses of up to £20,000, far less than required to meet the bills for Champions League games.
Chelsea and the Government are expected to agree a higher limit.
WHAT ABOUT THE FANS?.
The sanctions order means Chelsea cannot take any more money “at the gate” or for future tickets that have not been purchased already.
But season ticket holders or those who have bought seats for future matches can attend. They can buy food and drink at the game, too.
YET MOST AWAY FANS HAVE NOT HAD THE CHANCE TO BUY TICKETS?
Prem chiefs are seeking a solution, likely to see Chelsea give away their visiting fan allocation - 3,000 tickets per match - to their opponents for free, with any proceeds of £30 per ticket sale being sent to Ukraine-based humanitarian relief.
Similarly, home clubs could handle sales to Chelsea away fans and the FA similarly if the Blues are in the FA Cup semis or final.
BUT THE CLUB MEGASTORE HAS BEEN CLOSED?
With immediate effect as any sales activity at a Chelsea store would have meant money ultimately going to Abramovich.
Online sales of club merchandise has also ceased.
WHAT ABOUT THE TV GAMES?
The ongoing TV contracts, domestic and overseas, can continue as normal. Broadcasters are “permitted” to screen games “under pre-existing arrangements” while contractually-agreed broadcast payments “related to any fixtures” can be paid.
AND PRIZE MONEY?
Those payments would not be “related to any fixtures” so would appear to be outlawed.
It’s going to be an interesting time for the Prem lawyers, too.
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WHAT ABOUT THE PROPOSED SALE?
The Government has made it clear that they want Abramovich to sell before the end of the season - even if he cannot bank a penny of the sale price.
HOW WILL IT IMPACT THE CLUB THIS SUMMER?
Unless there is no new owner, Abramovich can no longer fund the club and the licence is unlikely to be renewed unless he sells.
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Sponsors are already considering their position.
Meanwhile, Chelsea face going into a summer where they cannot buy or sell any players, are powerless to prevent out of contract players leaving and cannot offer new deals.
It comes as:
- LIVE: The very latest from Stamford Bridge
- Chelsea owner Abramovich is sanctioned by UK Government
- Q&A: What does it all mean for The Blues?
- Chelsea CAN still be sold with buyers 'keen'
- Club at threat of POINTS DEDUCTION
- Sponsors are getting jittery - including Three
- Chelsea are banned from selling match tickets
- Club slapped with transfer ban and giving out contracts
- Tonight's game against Norwich is ON despite the drama
- Chelsea can only earn money from food and drink
- Strict travel budget means ban on private jets to away games
- FIVE players are now certain to leave in summer
- FAN'S VIEW: We shouldn't be punished because of Roman
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