Roman Abramovich has launched a blistering legal assault against the British government, accusing ministers of effectively paralysing the release of £2.5 billion from Chelsea Football Club's sale that was earmarked for humanitarian causes.
The Frozen Fortune
The Russian-Israeli billionaire, who owned Chelsea for nearly two decades before being forced to sell in 2022, claims Whitehall officials have created an impossible bureaucratic maze that prevents the massive funds from reaching war victims in Ukraine.
In court documents seen by the Daily Mail, Abramovich's legal team alleges the government has "effectively vetoed" every proposed solution for distributing the money through his foundation, leaving the funds in limbo for over two years.
Humanitarian Promises Broken
The situation represents a dramatic reversal of commitments made during the club's sale. When Abramovich agreed to sell Chelsea following sanctions imposed after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, he publicly pledged that all net proceeds would go to "all victims of the war in Ukraine."
Now, his lawyers argue that the government's refusal to approve any distribution plan means this humanitarian promise remains unfulfilled, while the funds continue gathering dust in a frozen bank account.
Legal Battle Escalates
The dispute has escalated into a full-scale legal confrontation, with Abramovich's team preparing to argue that the government's position is "irrational" and violates both the terms of the sale agreement and European human rights laws protecting property.
"The government is effectively demanding the donor and the foundation simply accept that the funds will never be distributed to the intended beneficiaries," court documents state.
What Happens Next?
The case threatens to become another embarrassing chapter in the government's handling of high-profile football transactions and Russian sanctions. With legal proceedings now underway, pressure is mounting on ministers to either approve a distribution plan or face potentially damaging revelations in court.
As the standoff continues, thousands of potential beneficiaries await aid that remains tantalisingly out of reach, caught between one of football's most controversial figures and the machinery of government.
