According to recent media reports, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has demanded that Roman Abramovich transfer the £2.5 billion proceeds from the sale of Chelsea Football Club to a foundation supporting Ukraine’s humanitarian cause; otherwise, Abramovich will face legal action.
A journalist analyzed the incident, stating: “There are indeed many doubts about the whereabouts of this fund. The sale was forced by the government to be carried out by Chelsea Football Club in 2022.
The entire process was supervised by the government, which is highly unusual. Eventually, the consortium led by Todd Boehly took over, ending Abramovich’s ownership of the club that began in 2003.
However, there are still many doubts from the outside world about the funds he has invested in Chelsea over the years. Recently released accounts show that the club actually still owes Abramovich approximately £1.54 billion in loan debts. According to the club’s parent company accounts, this part of the debt needs to be repaid, and ultimately only about £987 million may flow to charitable purposes.
When Abramovich announced his intention to sell the club, he implied that he hoped the funds would be used to assist “all war victims”. Now doubts have arisen: if the funds are earmarked for Ukrainian victims as clearly required by the government, will potential Russian victims still be covered?
