Roman Abramovitch ‘to contest’ seizure of £2.35bn Chelsea sale funds | OneFootball

According to The Times, Roman Abramovitch has informed the UK government that he still considers himself the owner of the £2.35bn (€2.9bn) proceeds from Chelsea’s sale, contests their confiscation, and intends to use them for charitable purposes.

In a letter, the former Chelsea owner from 2003 to 2022 asserts full ownership of the funds, challenges the freeze, and says they would be directed to victims of the war in Ukraine. He also disputes an investigation by Jersey authorities and the freezing of assets there.

His lawyers say he categorically rejects the allegations, views the probe as illegitimately politically motivated, and has begun legal action against Jersey’s government for misappropriation of funds and abuse of power. Authorities on the island have frozen a total of £5.3bn (€6.12bn) belonging to him, beyond the Chelsea proceeds.

The legal team add that only the dropping of proceedings and the unfreezing of assets would allow his charitable foundation to be financed.

The government wants the entire sum directed to Ukraine, while Abramovitch’s camp would also extend support to victims of the war in Russia.

Source: L'Équipe