Russian billionaire – owner of the top English Premiership club, Chelsea, current UEFA champion league cup holders and World Club champions, is paying the price of his relationship with Russian President, Vladimir Putin, whose forces have invaded Ukraine.
Western nations, under the auspices of the NATO military alliance have imposed harsh sanctions on Russia, Putin’s associates or members of the oligarchy formed around him. Abrahamovich, being an oligarch, has been sanctioned by the British government, resulting in this freezing of his assets in the UK.
Chelsea, being one of his major investments, has been seized, forcing the billionaire to attempt to carry out a pre-emptive sale, which was thwarted by the Boris Johnson administration. Now, the club can’t buy or sell players, or carry out other activities, although it has been given a special license to carry on for now.
Politics often prevails, when it clashes with economic interests. Chelsea, a darling club of Nigerians, would suffer a sharp decline if it loses its coach and other top players to this crisis.
No doubt, the 12-year reign of Abrahamovich as the owner of Chelsea has turned the club into a global brand; and consistent Top Four finishers on the league table. It seem this prevailing crisis is beyond the wily investor, and nemesis might have caught up with him, finally because of his involvement with Putin.
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