Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich lost a bid to lift European Union sanctions, a Brussels court ruled, and it would not honor his request for compensation, citing his involvement with the Evraz steel group as a key factor in the decision (Reuters).
Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, sanctions were imposed on Abramovich. The court in Brussels rejected his petition and also turned down compensation claims, highlighting his association with Evraz and other business connections tied to his EU footprint (Reuters).
The sanctions forced Abramovich to part with Chelsea Football Club in London. A consortium led by Todd Boehly emerged as the new owner, taking over the club amid the broader sanctions landscape affecting Russian-linked assets (Reuters).
Abramovich had purchased Chelsea for £140 million in 2003. Under his ownership, the club rose to become a dominant force in English and European football, securing five Premier League titles, two UEFA Champions League trophies, two Europa League titles, and five FA Cups. The ownership period included remarkable growth and high-profile successes, followed by the sale of the club in 2022 as sanctions and regulatory scrutiny intensified (Reuters).
In the current season of English football, Chelsea sits in tenth place with 22 points. Arsenal leads the table with 39 points, while Liverpool is close behind on 38 and Aston Villa also has 38, keeping the race for European qualification and domestic honors highly competitive as the season unfolds (Reuters).
Chelsea supporters have moments of nostalgia when recalling the club’s past achievements, including their long association with Abramovich, which is now a historical chapter in the club’s ongoing narrative (Reuters).