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Chelsea slam ‘entirely false’ claims owner Roman Abramovich wants £1.6bn loan repaid in statement in huge takeover boost


ROMAN ABRAMOVICH has maintained he is NOT demanding the repayment of his £1.6billion loan to Chelsea.

And the sanctioned Blues owner insisted he has engaged with the Government to discuss how the promised charity donation from the sale should be carried out.

Roman Abramovich has denied he is demanding repayment of a £1.6bn loan to ChelseaCredit: AP

Government sources hinted that Abramovich had made a U-turn on his initial pledge and demanded the money that had kept the Blues going for the past 19 years was paid to a Jersey-based company as part of the sale deal.

The consortium led by Los Angeles Dodgers co-owner Todd Boehly is understood to be close to completing the final details of the package, despite the last-gasp bid by Ineos owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

But the entire process was seemingly endangered by the claims that Abramovich was now demanding some financial compensation for being effectively forced to sell up after being branded an acolyte and supporter of Vladimir Putin and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Now, though, Abramovich has come out fighting, with a statement posted on the Chelsea website that dismissed those claims.

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A spokesman for the Russian said: “Firstly, Mr Abramovich’s intentions in relation to gifting the proceeds from the Chelsea sale to charity have not changed.

“Since the initial announcement, Mr Abramovich’s team has identified senior representatives from UN bodies and large global charitable organisations who have been tasked with forming a Foundation and setting out a plan for its activities. 

“The lead independent expert has had conversations with Government representatives presenting the structure and initial plans.

“Mr Abramovich has not been involved in this work and it has been managed independently by experts with years of experience working in humanitarian organisations.”

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The statement added: “Secondly, Mr Abramovich has not asked for any loan to be repaid to him.

“Such suggestions are entirely false, as are suggestions that Mr Abramovich increased the price of the Club last minute. 

“As part of Mr Abramovich’s objective to find a good custodian for Chelsea FC, he has however encouraged each bidder throughout this process to commit investing in the club – including in the Academy, Women’s team, necessary redevelopment of the stadium as well as maintaining the work of Chelsea Foundation.

“Following sanctions and other restrictions imposed on Mr Abramovich by the UK since announcing that the club would be sold, the loan has also become subject to EU sanctions, requiring additional approvals. 

“That means that the funds will be frozen and subject to a legal procedure governed by authorities. 

“These funds are still earmarked for the Foundation. The Government are aware of these restrictions as well as the legal implications.”

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The forthright response contained a further unexpected twist and the spokesman went on: “To be clear, Mr Abramovich has no access or control of these funds and will not have any access or control of these funds following the sale. 

“Despite the changing circumstances since his initial announcement – he remains committed to finding a good custodian for Chelsea FC and making sure the proceeds go to good causes.”


Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk


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