Today's Article

UK Sanctions Russian Chelsea FC Owner

영국, 러시아인 첼시 FC 구단주에 대해 제재 조치 취해 

Roman Abramovich has always publicly at least tried to 1distance himself and this football club from the 2politics. But now firmly at the center of it with the UK government sanctions 3imposed to expressly stop Abramovich 4benefiting from the Chelsea ownership with the Foreign and Culture Secretary Liz Truss calling the Russian 5complicit in Putin’s 6aggression. 

In the context of the horrors of what we’re seeing play out in Ukraine, the day to day running of a football club 7pales into 8insignificance. But this is the European Champions and it has become one of the biggest clubs in the world during the Russian’s 9tenure. 

The initial 10restrictions imposed make things difficult for them in 11terms of conducting transfers, travel cost restrictions and limiting the sale of tickets. Certainly been strange here with the closing of the club shop and the hotel on site not being able to take reservations or even sell coffee or water. The club are hoping they’ll be able to negotiate some new terms which will mean they’ll be able to operate in as normal a way as possible. 

There’s hope the sale of the club will be able to continue if they can prove proceeds won’t be lining the Russians pocket. But this is 12unchartedterritory for the club, for the Premier League and for the UK government. The man whose arrival heralded the most successful period of Chelsea’s history is set to depart, leaving them with their most uncertain future. 

Amanda Davies, CNN, Stamford Bridge, London.