The British government has delivered a definitive ultimatum to sanctioned Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, demanding he finally transfer the £2.5 billion ($3.25 billion) pledged from the sale of Chelsea Football Club to aid victims of Russia’s war in Ukraine. Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s administration declared on Wednesday that it is prepared to initiate legal proceedings to enforce the commitment, which has remained unfulfilled for over two years.
The saga stems from the 2022 forced sale of the Premier League club after the UK government imposed sanctions on Abramovich due to his established connections with Russian President Vladimir Putin following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. As a condition of the sale approval, Abramovich publicly vowed to establish a charitable foundation dedicated to supporting those affected by the conflict. Despite the transaction’s completion—which saw ownership transfer to a consortium led by American Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital—the promised funds remain frozen in a UK bank account, legally still belonging to the oligarch but inaccessible without government approval.
Prime Minister Starmer emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating, “The clock is ticking on Roman Abramovich to honor the commitment he made when Chelsea FC was sold. This government is prepared to enforce it through the courts, so that every penny reaches those whose lives have been torn apart by Putin’s illegal war.” The government’s statement noted that extensive negotiations to secure a voluntary release of the funds have ultimately failed, leaving litigation as the only remaining option. Abramovich, who acquired Chelsea in 2003 and presided over an era that included two Champions League and five Premier League titles, could not be reached for immediate comment.