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KOMPAS.com – Owner Chelsea, Roman Abramovich, announced that he would hand over control of the Blues camp to the board of the club’s charitable foundation. However, there is still a lot of uncertainty about what the exact impact of this decision will be for the Blues.
This certainty came through Roman Abramovich’s statement on the club’s official website on Sunday (27/2/2022) early morning WIB.
In his statement, Roman Abramovich said that he has always seen himself as the custodian of the club and has always been determined to make Chelsea successful and play a positive role in the community.
“I have always made decisions with the best interests of the club in mind and I will remain committed to these values,” Abramovich wrote.
“Therefore, I am today handing over the stewardship and care of the club to the Chelsea charitable foundation.”
Also read: Due to the Russian invasion, Roman Abramovich resigns from Chelsea
“I believe they are now in the best position to protect the interests of the club, players, staff and fans.”
The media in England suggested that this was Abramovich’s attempt to protect Chelsea after Russia invaded Ukraine.
Abramovich has close ties to Russia’s President, Vladimir Putin, a 2019 Home Office report reveals.
Abramovich is said to have played a major role in Putin’s rise to power in the Kremlin today.
As a result of Roman Abramovich’s decision, Chelsea is now believed to be in the control of seven figures on the board of directors of the club’s charitable foundation.
These include chairman Bruce Buck, head coach of the women’s team Emma Hayes, and chairman of the World Athletics Council, Lord Sebastien Coe.
Football decisions, regarding transfers and player contracts, will continue to be made by the club’s director, Marina Granovskaia, as well as technical advisor Petr Cech.
Granovskaia herself was Abramovich’s confidant with whom he had worked for a long time.
Chelsea director Marina Granovskaia, pictured on June 7, 2016.-
However, the words used by Roman Abramovich in the statement are said to be unusual from a legal point of view.
This was conveyed by European football finance expert, Kieran Maguire, to the BBC.
“He has said he will hand over all control to the club’s charitable foundation so that he is no longer the final decision maker regarding the transfer budget, the manager and other key elements of the club,” Maguire wrote.
“He still owns the club. Chelsea FC is owned by a company called Fordstam. The company has borrowed $1.5 billion from a company called Camberley International, which is headquartered in the British Virgin Islands.”
“The company is controlled by Roman Abramovich, so this alone is a complex structure.”
Also read: The Price of the Ukrainian Invasion for Russia’s Sports World
“We still don’t know how the Chelsea Foundation received the funding.”
“I think Abramovich would be worried – if the British Government tried to confiscate his assets then those assets would include Chelsea Football Club.”
“This will of course have implications in terms of club financing if this conflict continues for an extended period of time.”
“Of course, there will be reluctance if the club is seized and eventually financed by the taxpayers.”
“Now his legal team will be able to say Chelsea cannot be confiscated by the government after he handed over power to the foundation.
“The foundation is a charity and he is not one of its commissioners/supervisors although several people with a strong business track record (with Abramovich) are at the foundation.”
Football.London also emphasized that Roman Abramovich is still the owner of Chelsea.
The only aspect that has changed from the announcement is the decision-making process in Blue’s camp.
Also read: Tuchel Values Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine Disrupts Chelsea Ahead of EFL Cup Final
So far, BBC Sport reports Abramovich has no plans to sell the Blues.
The Chelsea Supporter’s Trust also issued a statement in which they asked for “immediate clarification” what the statement meant for the Blues.
A statement from the Chelsea supporters’ non-profit organization which has a voice to strengthen supporters’ influence in the way the club is run read: “Chelsea Supporters’ Trust is deeply saddened and shock witnessed the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the loss of life that followed.”
A Chelsea Supporters’ Trust statement. pic.twitter.com/GXlGOiW6U5
— Chelsea Supporters’ Trust???? (@ChelseaSTrust) February 26, 2022
“We are monitoring Mr Abramovich’s statement (26/2/2/2022) and are now seeking immediate clarification of what this statement means to Chelsea.”
“The CST board stands ready to work with members of the Chelsea Foundation to ensure the long-term interests of the club and its supporters.”
“We stand with the Ukrainian people.”
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