The United Kingdom is threatening to sue former Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich for the frozen billions he netted from selling the team.
The British government forced Abramovich to sell the team in 2022 after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine due to his close ties to Vladimir Putin’s government. The money has sat frozen in one of his accounts since then as the government tries to send the money to Ukrainian victims; according to multiple reports, Abramovich wants the money to go to victims on both sides.
On Tuesday, British finance minister Rachel Reeves and foreign minister David Lammy said the government was prepared to increase its efforts to get the money.
“The government is determined to see the proceeds from the sale of Chelsea Football Club reach humanitarian causes in Ukraine, following Russia’s illegal full-scale invasion. We are deeply frustrated that it has not been possible to reach agreement on this with Mr. Abramovich so far,” they said.
Reeves and Lammy added that they are still open to negotiate with Abramovich but were “fully prepared to pursue this through the courts if required.”
Abramovich owned Chelsea from June 2003 to 2022. The club had its most successful run under him, winning two Champions League titles and four Premier League titles.
