What Roman Abramovich Being Added To The UK Sanctions List Means For The Oligarch And Chelsea

Today (March 10) it was announced that Roman Abramovich has been added to the UK's list of sanctions against oligarchs.

The current Chelsea owner will see his 'assets frozen', sanctions imposed on his business dealings along with a travel ban.

While Abramovich has announced plans to sell Chelsea on March 2, the sanctions on him have raised concerns over the future of the club.

Sanctions are being imposed on oligarchs in response to Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine, in the effort to 'isolate' the Russian president and those around him.

Roman Abramovich (Alamy)

According to the UK's government website, the sanctions imposed on the club owner will see 'his assets frozen, a prohibition on transactions with UK individuals and businesses, a travel ban and transport sanctions imposed'.

So, what do the sanctions mean for Chelsea?

The most immediate concern is that the sanctions will impact the sell of the club, given that Abramovich's assets have been put on hold.

In addition, the club are currently forbidden from selling match day tickets. Season ticket holders will still be able to attend.

Roman Abramovich (Alamy)

The Chelsea club shop has been closed too, but staff and players will continue to be paid.

Nadine Dorries, Secretary of State for Culture, media and sport said of the matter: 'Today’s sanctions obviously have a direct impact on Chelsea & its fans', as per the Mirror.

Dorries continued to add: 'We have been working hard to ensure the club & the national game are not unnecessarily harmed by these important sanctions'.

She said that they want to ensure the club can continue to compete and operate and have issued a 'special licence' to allow fixtures to be fulfilled and staff to be paid and stressed her commitment to protecting football clubs that are the 'bedrock of our communities'.

All this, she said, would happen 'while, crucially, depriving Abramovich of benefiting from his ownership of the club'.

Roman Abramovich (Alamy)

The restrictions the club is currently facing, such as not being able to sell match day tickets could have a knock on effect on the FA Cup.

If Chelsea beat Middlesbrough and progress onto the semi-finals at Wembley it is unclear how ticket sells would be organised.

News of Abramovich being added to the UK's sanction list comes as war continues in Ukraine. Since Putin's invasion began, two million refugees are said to have fled the country.

If you would like to donate to the Red Cross Emergency Appeal, which will help provide food, medicines and basic medical supplies, shelter and water to those in Ukraine, click here for more information.