The British government has threatened to sue former Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich to ensure the money raised from the sale of the club goes to help wartime Ukraine.
£2.5billion has been frozen in British bank accounts since the sale was completed. With Abramovich coming under sanctions. After Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
The British government wants the money to go towards humanitarian aid to Ukraine, but Abramovich has said he wants it to go to “all victims of the war in Ukraine”.
In a joint statement, British Prime Minister Rachel Reeves and Foreign Secretary David Lammy said: “While the door to negotiations remains open. We are fully prepared to pursue this matter through the courts if necessary.”
They said they wanted to “ensure that people affected in Ukraine can benefit from these proceeds as soon as possible.”
They added: “The government is committed to seeing any proceeds. From the sale of Chelsea Football Club go towards humanitarian causes in Ukraine. เว็บพนันออนไลน์ UFABET สมัครง่าย โปรโมชั่นมากมาย. following the full-scale and illegal invasion by Russia.
“We are deeply disappointed that no agreement has been reached on this matter with Mr Abramovich so far.”
The delay in the release of the funds was caused by a dispute between the UK government and Abramovich’s lawyers.
While he still holds the £2.5bn, UK government sanctions mean he cannot access it.
Announcing his decision to sell the club, he said the proceeds from the sale would be donated through a charity “for the benefit of all victims of the Ukrainian war”, including those in “Russia”.
But the UK government has objected, arguing that the money should only be used for humanitarian efforts within Ukraine.