According to Starmer, the proceeds from the sale of Chelsea should be transferred to a special fund intended to support Ukraine. He emphasized that Abramovich has a final opportunity to approve the transfer, otherwise legal actions will become inevitable.
“I want to make a clear appeal to Abramovich: time is running out, fulfill your obligations and make the transfer immediately. If this does not happen, we will be ready to sue you and ensure that every penny is directed to those affected by Putin's illegal war,” he noted.
According to unofficial information, the government has given Abramovich 90 days to take the necessary actions.
Abramovich's representatives declined to comment on the situation.
Earlier, the UK government allowed Abramovich, who is under sanctions for his ties to Vladimir Putin, to sell Chelsea to American businessman Todd Boehly and the investment firm Clearlake Capital. The deal was agreed upon on the condition that £2.5 billion from the sale would be donated to charities helping those affected by the war in Ukraine.
After the sale was completed, the funds were transferred to a special bank account and frozen until a decision is made on how to use them.
Three years later, this amount remains frozen in a Barclays bank account, reportedly due to disagreements over the allocation of these funds.
Abramovich is rumored to want the money to be used to support all victims of the war, including those in Russia, while the British government insists on their use exclusively for humanitarian aid within Ukraine.
In June, the minister expressed disappointment over the lack of an agreement with Abramovich.
Legally, the money still belongs to Abramovich and cannot be moved or used without a license from the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation at the Treasury, which is responsible for enforcing the sanctions regime.
However, on Wednesday, Starmer informed parliamentarians that the government is issuing such a license.
“We are coordinating a license for the transfer of £2.5 billion received from the sale of Chelsea FC, which has been frozen since 2022,” he said.
Finance Minister Rachel Reeves also noted that “it is unacceptable to leave over £2.5 billion intended for the Ukrainian people frozen in a bank account in the UK.” In her statement, she added that “any proposal from Mr. Abramovich regarding the use of this clear legal mechanism to create a fund and transfer funds under the terms of the license will be considered.”
Abramovich is believed to have close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin, although he denies this.
Chelsea was purchased by Abramovich in 2003 for £140 million. Under his ownership, the team experienced its most successful period, winning two Champions League trophies, five Premier League titles, five FA Cups, two Europa Leagues, and three League Cups. In February 2021, Chelsea won its first Club World Cup, and in August, the UEFA Super Cup.
