Roman Abramovich, Russian owner of Chelsea FC, to sell club after Ukraine invasion
“Surely, Mr. Abramovich should no longer be able to own a football club in this country?” he added.
Abramovich himself has not been sanctioned by the UK, according to the sanctions list website.
The businessman maintains he’s not an official political figure for Russia.
In Tuesday’s State of the Union speech, US President Joe Biden said: “Tonight, I say to the Russian oligarchs and the corrupt leaders who built billions of dollars off this violent regime, no more.
“I will not be asking for any loans to be repaid,” the statement said.
“This has never been about business nor money for me, but about pure passion for the game and Club. Moreover, I have instructed my team to set up a charitable foundation where all net proceeds from the sale will be donated. The foundation will be for the benefit of all victims of the war in Ukraine. This includes providing critical funds towards the urgent and immediate needs of victims, as well as supporting the long-term work of recovery.”
In an interview with Blick, a Swiss newspaper, the 86-year-old admitted his interest in purchasing the Stamford Bridge club but only as part of a consortium.
Chelsea did not respond to CNN’s request for comment.
Wyss said he and three other people received an offer to buy Chelsea from Abramovich, but there is no fixed selling price, according to Blick.
Wyss, who founded medical device firm Synthes USA, was quoted in the interview as saying, “I have to wait four to five days now. Abramovich is currently asking far too much.”
Chelsea have won two Champions League trophies — including in 2021 — and five English Premier League trophies since Abramovich took ownership of the club in 2003 after paying $233 million.
Chelsea on Wednesday rallied to defeat Luton Town 3-2 in the fifth round of the FA Cup.
CNN’s Sammy Mngqosini and Steve Almasy contributed to this report.
