Chelsea’s takeover is in ‘fresh doubt’ amid a renewed impasse between owner Roman Abramovich and Government officials over the terms of the deal.
Abramovich’s 19-year reign as Chelsea owner looked to be coming toward to an end earlier this month after a £4.25bn deal was agreed with an American-based consortium fronted by LA Dodgers co-owner Todd Boehly.
Sky Sports are reporting that the deal is now in ‘fresh doubt’, however, with the Government yet to receive assurances from Abramovich over the destination of the proceeds.
The situation means there are now doubts over whether a special licence needed to approve the sale will be issued before the deadline at the end of the month. Without a deal being struck, Chelsea could be excluded from sporting competitions next season and potentially face the threat of administration.
Chelsea are currently operating under a special licence following the sanctions placed on Abramovich in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Ahead of the sanctions, Abramovich said he intended to write off a £1.5bn loan to Chelsea and hand all net proceeds from the sale of the West Londoners to charitable causes supporting victims of the war in Ukraine.
The Russian has continued to insist that this remains the case, though Government officials say they have not received ‘sufficient assurances or binding legal commitments’.
