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Amanda Staveley claims Newcastle owners ‘had opportunity to look at Chelsea’ and is ‘sad’ for Roman Abramovich

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NEWCASTLE co-owner Amanda Staveley has claimed the club’s Saudi-backed investors had the ‘opportunity to look at Chelsea’.

Roman Abramovich has put the club up for sale to avoid sanctions that could threaten his fortune after Russia invaded Ukraine.

Staveley has revealed Newcastle could have explored the possibility or buying ChelseaCredit: Getty
Billionaire Russian oligarch Abramovich has put Chelsea up for sale due to ongoing events in UkraineCredit: AFP

The wealthiest owners in world football bought Newcastle in October but could have taken a different route had they waited five more months to invest.

Russian Abramovich is looking for £3billion for Chelsea – a drop in the ocean for Newcastle’s Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund owners who are worth £320BN.

Staveley said at a Financial Times live conference: “We had the opportunity to look at Chelsea – a wonderful club – but there was only one club for us and there will only be one club for us.”

Toon fans reacted with joy when former owner Mike Ashley eventually sold up back in October to make way for Staveley and Co.

The 48-year-old was then asked for her opinion on Abramovich offloading Chelsea after 19 years of ownership.

Abramovich’s ties to Russian president Vladimir Putin contributed to him putting the club up for sale.

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Staveley though revealed she was ‘sad’ that Abramovich was cutting ties with the club, but quickly claimed relationships must be held ‘to account’.

She said: “I’m really sad today that someone is going to have their football club taken away because of a relationship they may have with someone.

“I don’t think that is fair, actually, to be honest. But we do have to hold all of our relationships to account.”

The Russian oligarch promised to give any profits from his sale to the victims of the Ukraine war — but refused to condemn the actions of tyrant crony Putin.

Abramovich also revealed he would be writing off the £1.5bn debt Chelsea owed him.

More than 2,000 civilians have been killed in Ukraine as a result of Putin’s illegal invasion, now into its eighth day.

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk

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