Former Chelsea boss Roman Abramovich has been under scrutiny again as the British government has confirmed the possibility of his indictment.
The UK government is stepping up efforts to acquire the cost of £2.5 billion raised by Chelsea Football Club in 2022, which remains locked down due to controversy with former owner Roman Abramovich.
Prime Minister Rachel Reeves and Foreign Minister David Lammy were frustrated by the delay in directing funds to Ukraine’s humanitarian aid, the original intention.
Abramovich, who was approved by Britain for his ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin, agreed to sell the club and understood the proceeds would support victims of the Ukrainian war.
According to Sky News, tensions surfaced in how to define “victims”, and Abramovich reportedly pushed for a broader explanation that could include individuals in Russia.
Since funds remain technically his property, they cannot be released without his approval or the specific permission of the UK sanctions enforcement agency.
Reeves and Lammy reiterated their commitment to secure funding for Ukrainian aid and warned that legal action could be taken if the deadlock is not violated.
The ongoing delays have drawn criticism from aid organizations and politicians who have called for quick action to deliver on the sale’s humanitarian commitments.
