Chelsea 2021/22 - World and European Champions

[::sonny::]

Goodbye

 

[::sonny::]

Maybe Roman now needs his 1 billion back

 

[Mb194dc]

He hasn't lived in the UK for years (if ever?)...

He can visit on a couple of different passports. Though he hasn't much since his last visa refusal.

Seems reasonably unlikely he'll be visiting anytime soon now either!...

 

[ZolaWasMagic]

Goodbye

Thats not new news. He hasnt been in the UK for ages now. And this nonsense he will lose all his cash and have to sell Chelsea is not happening. If he ever sold us, the new owner would have to have seriously deep pockets

The 1 billion he also owes it to himself....

" Sources close to Roman Abramovich insist he has done nothing that would make him liable to sanctions. But even were it to happen, it is understood to be unlikely there would be ANY impact on Chelsea. "

 

[stefan92]

Thats not new news. He hasnt been in the UK for ages now. And this nonsense he will lose all his cash and have to sell Chelsea is not happening. If he ever sold us, the new owner would have to have seriously deep pockets

The 1 billion he also owes it to himself....

" Sources close to Roman Abramovich insist he has done nothing that would make him liable to sanctions. But even were it to happen, it is understood to be unlikely there would be ANY impact on Chelsea. "

When you think about it, he does not own Chelsea personally, but a holding he owns owns and finances the club.

Even when his access to that holding is limited/prohibited it does not have any immediate impact on the relation between holding and club.

 

[Classical Mechanic]

He hasn't lived in the UK for years (if ever?)...

He can visit on a couple of different passports. Though he hasn't much since his last visa refusal.

Seems reasonably unlikely he'll be visiting anytime soon now either!...

He moved to Israel when that visa was refused.

 

[talking robot]

Can't help but wonder what sort of medium term impact this will have on Chelsea football club's finances and ability to pay for players. Even if the club generates some revenue, they still depend on Abramovich's money at the end of the day.

 

[Zaphod2319]

Can't help but wonder what sort of medium term impact this will have on Chelsea football club's finances and ability to pay for players. Even if the club generates some revenue, they still depend on Abramovich's money at the end of the day.

He gives an influx from time to time. He did because of the pandemic and before that it was to build up the academy. The club will run fine if he is not putting in money. I think all of this will be temporary. During that time the club will run fine. It can all change if the UK forces him to sell of course.

 

[Adisa]

He loaned them money during the pandemic to fund their latest spending spree. They absolutely do rely on his money. They posted losses of 109m in 19/20 and posted losses of 140m in December despite winning the CL. Their statement even said the following:

Chelsea’s accounts state they are “reliant on Fordstam Limited for its continued financial support”. The company is owned by Roman Abramovich, and has indicated it will continue to support the club “for the foreseeable future”.

https://www.theguardian.com/footbal...ampions-league-triumph?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

Everyone made huge losses during the pandemic and almost every club took out loans. We did the same to the tune of £140m. Chelsea could have borrowed from any bank but took a loan from Roman cause that was the cheapest source of debt financing they could possibly find.

 

[Dumbstar]

Can't help but wonder what sort of medium term impact this will have on Chelsea football club's finances and ability to pay for players. Even if the club generates some revenue, they still depend on Abramovich's money at the end of the day.

There'll be no more Lukaku/Havertz/Werner type signings for sure. Chelsea might be self sufficient enough but not to excess. More at Liverpool, Everton, West Ham spending/salary levels than City or Utd.

 

[Zaphod2319]

Ziyech and Kovacic are fit for Liverpool game according to Tuchel. Kova got a kick to the back and Ziyech got kicked in the achilles, but both are good.

 

[Mb194dc]

Is Mr A even facing sanctions, seems the parliamentary record had to be corrected because he's not? Or no more than before ?

So shouldn't be any impact as things stand anyway.

 

[Zaphod2319]

Is Mr A even facing sanctions, seems the parliamentary record had to be corrected because he's not? Or no more than before ?

So shouldn't be any impact as things stand anyway.

He was told he was not welcome in England a while ago and then today he was told he REALLY is not welcome in England.

 

[TheMagicFoolBus]

It just happened today. A step further than his previous visa not allowed.

https://www.iol.co.za/sport/soccer/...vernment-f86330ce-26f1-4f12-9b5c-ae02693a8006

The reference is to a 2019 report but as I point out the game changer was him being granted Portuguese Citizenship in 2021.
Even the report you link only mentions his Israeli passport and even the it doesn’t say he is currently banned from the UK only that he can’t live here

His Portuguese citizenship is currently being investigated and may be revoked in light of everything that's going on.

 

[Wolf1992]

His Portuguese citizenship is currently being investigated and may be revoked in light of everything that's going on.

I suppose he has businesses in Portugal, which is why he got the citizenship.
Rich people are normally give the citizenship after investing some money or buying expensive property in a country.

 

[SirReginald]

His Portuguese citizenship is currently being investigated and may be revoked in light of everything that's going on.

It’s quite possible but I still don’t see the club being affected either way. Now if anything happened to Marina, that could change the game here. She’s effectively running the club for him and his direct contact.

 

[TheMagicFoolBus]

I suppose he has businesses in Portugal, which is why he got the citizenship.
Rich people are normally give the citizenship after investing some money or buying expensive property in a country.

He got his citizenship via his Jewish ancestry - there is a program in Portugal offering citizenship to those of Sephardi descent who were expelled during the 15th century. That said, there are also investigations as to whether or not Abramovich actually is descended from anyone meeting this description - reportedly there is not an abundance of scrutiny into applications for the rich and famous.

 

[TheMagicFoolBus]

It’s quite possible but I still don’t see the club being affected either way. Now if anything happened to Marina, that could change the game here. She’s effectively running the club for him and his direct contact.

Agreed on all counts.

 

[WeePat]

In less gloomy news.

 

[ZolaWasMagic]

Is Mr A even facing sanctions, seems the parliamentary record had to be corrected because he's not? Or no more than before ?

So shouldn't be any impact as things stand anyway.

Telegraph reporting Roman and Usmanov have tonight escaped sanctions

 

[Klopper76]

In less gloomy news.

Means Azpi on the other side against Salah I’d assume? I don’t think Alonso would fancy his chances.

I’m guessing you’ll play a back three?

 

[TheMagicFoolBus]

Means Azpi on the other side against Salah I’d assume? I don’t think Alonso would fancy his chances.

I’m guessing you’ll play a back three?

Sarr more likely I'd think. Tuchel has been reluctant to use Azpi at LWB as he wants whoever is playing there to provide width. I also don't really think James will be thrown back in straightaway vs such a good opponent - I'm guessing it'll be Sarr - Rudiger - Silva - Christensen - Azpi for the backline.

 

[::sonny::]

Goodbye

 

[Bluelion7]

Roman is technically an Israeli citizen now, no? He sold his way out of being a “player” in the oligarch game years and years ago I thought.

 

[Dave Smith]

Cannot see Mr A getting stripped of too many assets owing to his Israeli citizenship. Additionally, he has been out of Russian politics for a while as he sold his oil/gas company to Gazprom for a discounted rate (although you can always argue he shouldn't have had it to begin with.) So, unlike some of the other Oligarchs, he hasn't been involved with the Kremlin much.

 

[WeePat]

Means Azpi on the other side against Salah I’d assume? I don’t think Alonso would fancy his chances.

I’m guessing you’ll play a back three?

I doubt James will be play any part in the final. He's only just returned to training after a 2 month injury. Either Alonso or Sarr will be guarding Salah and Azpi will take up his usual position on the right.

 

[TheReligion]

Pressure mounting on Roman. He was name checked on Question Time last night a few times.

Not sure how it will directly impact Chelsea but I expect he will be named and sanctioned harshly very soon.

 

[Dumbstar]

Roman is technically an Israeli citizen now, no? He sold his way out of being a “player” in the oligarch game years and years ago I thought.

Just like it's easy to walk away from the Yakuza or Mafia is it? Putin has him on his leash, no mistake.

 

[duffer]

So if the UK government siezes Roman's assets, what do they do with Chelsea? Sell it to the highest bidder? Give it to the fans? The Queen becomes the boss?

If it gets siezed then the debt is done as well so a very odd situation.

 

[hasanejaz88]

I find it really strange that the UK is thinking of this eventhough Roman has no role over this war, yet the Newcastle owners, who are directly waging a war on Yemen, are allowed to buy a club without consequence.

Unless Roman is part of the government, I think this is going too far with this.

 

[Wolf1992]

I find it really strange that the UK is thinking of this eventhough Roman has no role over this war, yet the Newcastle owners, who are directly waging a war on Yemen, are allowed to buy a club without consequence.

Unless Roman is part of the government, I think this is going too far with this.

How much in investments has Saud Arabia in England compared to Russian government.

 

[Dave Smith]

So if the UK government siezes Roman's assets, what do they do with Chelsea? Sell it to the highest bidder? Give it to the fans? The Queen becomes the boss?

If it gets siezed then the debt is done as well so a very odd situation.

Yeah, this is the thing that is being lost a little. Chelsea is in debt to RA and not any financial institutions. Hence, if the clubs gets seized then one has to imagine that the company he holds the debts with also gets seized; so essentially the Government have a free football club that they can either sell to the fans (good political move) or auction off to the highest bidder as a debt free club.

Personally, I am not sure what the in's and out's are exactly with RA. From what I have interpreted he must've had some sort of gang connections to get hold of his oil company so is clearly a bit dodgy (although I do not think this has been proven, even if it is obvious.) Then once Putin secured his position RA sold his oil company to the state at a knockdown rate and essentially departed the Russian political scene.

Now, it may be he is some proxy for Putin but that would need to be proven. I am all for punishing Russia and Russians that have helped this war happen, but equally I am not comfortable with Governments taking peoples assets if they haven't, by and large, got anything to do with it and actually got out of the situation years' ago.

If proven that he is a player, then of course take it all.

 

[lex talionis]

Abramovich must be dealt with swiftly, regardless of the consequences to Chelsea FC. Do we really want our grandchildren to learn that we went soft on Russian oligarchs after what was done to Ukraine because of the feelings of Chelsea fans?

 

[stefan92]

Yeah, this is the thing that is being lost a little. Chelsea is in debt to RA and not any financial institutions. Hence, if the clubs gets seized then one has to imagine that the company he holds the debts with also gets seized; so essentially the Government have a free football club that they can either sell to the fans (good political move) or auction off to the highest bidder as a debt free club.

You need to look a bit deeper. Chelsea is owned by and in debt to Fordstam Ltd, not to RA as a person.

It might be possible to deny him control over Fordstam, but this would not make Chelsea debt free. You can't seize an English company (Chelsea) from another (Fordstam).

 

[Hester_manc]

I hate the Glazers for what they have done to United. But I would be embarrassed to have Abramovich as the owner.

 

[Dancfc]

Yeah, this is the thing that is being lost a little. Chelsea is in debt to RA and not any financial institutions. Hence, if the clubs gets seized then one has to imagine that the company he holds the debts with also gets seized; so essentially the Government have a free football club that they can either sell to the fans (good political move) or auction off to the highest bidder as a debt free club.

God please no. If we were fan owned since 2003 Ranieri would still be here.

 

[WeePat]

Abramovich must be dealt with swiftly, regardless of the consequences to Chelsea FC. Do we really want our grandchildren to learn that we went soft on Russian oligarchs after what was done to Ukraine because of the feelings of Chelsea fans?

Yeah that's exactly what was discussed in the cobra meeting - the feelings of the Chelsea fans.

 

[Dave Smith]

You need to look a bit deeper. Chelsea is owned by and in debt to Fordstam Ltd, not to RA as a person.

It might be possible to deny him control over Fordstam, but this would not make Chelsea debt free. You can't seize an English company (Chelsea) from another (Fordstam).

Thanks for that, that makes sense. I guess it would all depend on the ownership structure of Fordstam. However, if Fordstam is proven to have taken illcit money and/or is a Russian asset that they can take, then isn't it the same thing? I mean they could just seize both and then do what they will with the debt?

Additionally, from my brief reading around Chelsea's finances I was under the impression their debt was at zero per cent on long term notes that could be turned into equity when RA wants. Thus, the only issue for them would be if the Government took Fordstam and /or whoever RA hands control to calls in the money? Both of which seem unlikely.

Additionally, even if the debt did get called in, they would probably still find investment vehicles in the US that would want them and take on the debt.

This all said, I am still not convinced RA is actually going to face too much trouble. He won a deformation case in London about his relationship with Putin. For me, there would need to be a serious revelation that isn't in the public domain before he would have to worry.

 

[ZolaWasMagic]

Thanks for that, that makes sense. I guess it would all depend on the ownership structure of Fordstam. However, if Fordstam is proven to have taken illcit money and/or is a Russian asset that they can take, then isn't it the same thing? I mean they could just seize both and then do what they will with the debt?

Additionally, from my brief reading around Chelsea's finances I was under the impression their debt was at zero per cent on long term notes that could be turned into equity when RA wants. Thus, the only issue for them would be if the Government took Fordstam and /or whoever RA hands control to calls in the money? Both of which seem unlikely.

Additionally, even if the debt did get called in, they would probably still find investment vehicles in the US that would want them and take on the debt.

This all said, I am still not convinced RA is actually going to face too much trouble. He won a deformation case in London about his relationship with Putin. For me, there would need to be a serious revelation that isn't in the public domain before he would have to worry.

Yes, he won court cases where media named him as one of Putins "cronies" and all those publications then issued apologies for getting it wrong. Telegraph last night claimed he and Usmanov have escpaed sanctions, too

He has also been an Israeli citizen for a long time now, whether that bears any difference i dont know. But to those thinking he will have to leave Chelsea, or we will suddenly have no money. No, wont happen.

If he went, i would suspect a Saudi type takeover would happen, or similar.

 

[Water Melon]

Yes, he won court cases where media named him as one of Putins "cronies" and all those publications then issued apologies for getting it wrong. Telegraph last night claimed he and Usmanov have escpaed sanctions, too

He has also been an Israeli citizen for a long time now, whether that bears any difference i dont know. But to those thinking he will have to leave Chelsea, or we will suddenly have no money. No, wont happen.

If he went, i would suspect a Saudi type takeover would happen, or similar.

How can Usmanov escape sanctions?