Abramovich’s Chelsea future in doubt after Swiss billionaire claims he has been offered chance to buy club

News Express |2nd Mar 2022 | 832
Abramovich’s Chelsea future in doubt after Swiss billionaire claims he has been offered chance to buy club

Chelsea owner Abramovich



Roman Abramovich’s future as Chelsea owner is in doubt after a Swiss billionaire claimed he has been offered the chance to buy the club.

Hansjorg Wyss told Swiss newspaperBlickthat Abramovich “wants to get rid of Chelsea quickly” after the threat of sanctions was raised in Parliament.

Abramovich gave “stewardship and care” of Chelsea to its foundation trustees following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Chelsea have chosen not to respond to the claims of 86-year-old Wyss.

The west London club have always previously denied reports that they are up for sale.

Abramovich, 55, is alleged to have strong ties to Russian president Vladimir Putin, which he has denied. Other Russian billionaires have already been the subject of European Union sanctions where their assets have been frozen.

That has included Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov, who has commercial links to Everton.

The United Kingdom government is yet to sanction Abramovich or Usmanov, but Labour MP Chris Bryant said in Parliament on Tuesday that Abramovich was “terrified of being sanctioned which is why he is going to sell his home tomorrow [Wednesday], and another flat as well”.

On Wednesday, during Prime Minister's Questions, Labour leader Keir Starmer asked why Abramovich was not facing sanctions, with Boris Johnson replying it was “not appropriate to comment on any individual cases at this stage”.

Wyss also said: “Abramovich is trying to sell all of his villas in England, he also wants to get rid of Chelsea quickly.

“I and three other people received an offer on Tuesday to buy Chelsea from Abramovich.”

A spokesperson for Abramovich declined to comment on those claims.

Should Abramovich decide to sell Chelsea, it would be a seismic moment for the club and English football.

Having bought the Blues in 2003 for £140m, Chelsea have been transformed under the Russian's reign, and in many ways it has set the template for how much finance was needed to compete at the top end of the Premier League.

In total, Abramovich has loaned the club more than £1.5bn which has brought great success.

Under his ownership, the club have won the Champions League twice, both the Premier League and FA Cup five times, the Europa League twice and the League Cup three times.

In August 2021, they won the Uefa Super Cup and they recently won their first Club World Cup, meaning the Blues have won every trophy possible since Abramovich took over at the club. (BBC)

Comments

Post Comment

Indigenous activists storm COP30 climate summit in Brazil, demanding action

Indigenous activists storm COP30 climate summit in Brazil, demanding action

Sudanese army to advance westward to eliminate paramilitary RSF from Darfur, governor says

Sudanese army to advance westward to eliminate paramilitary RSF from Darfur, governor says

Starmer will fight attempts to replace him, allies say

Starmer will fight attempts to replace him, allies say

Former French President Sarkozy Released From Prison Pending Appeal, Says Jail Was ‘Draining’

Former French President Sarkozy Released From Prison Pending Appeal, Says Jail Was ‘Draining’

World’s Largest Aircraft Lessor Praises Air Peace For Restoring Global Confidence In Nigerian Aviation

World’s Largest Aircraft Lessor Praises Air Peace For Restoring Global Confidence In Nigerian Aviation

 South Korea joins Japan, Italy, Greece, Mexico, Croatia, and more in the struggle to manage overtourism amid unprecedented growth in visitor numbers

South Korea joins Japan, Italy, Greece, Mexico, Croatia, and more in the struggle to manage overtourism amid unprecedented growth in visitor numbers

Collins 'didn't understand' Ronaldo celebration

Collins 'didn't understand' Ronaldo celebration

PDP a threat to your governance agenda, dump it now — Plateau group charges Gov Mutfwang

PDP a threat to your governance agenda, dump it now — Plateau group charges Gov Mutfwang

NDDC urges traditional rulers to back development efforts

NDDC urges traditional rulers to back development efforts

Wike vs Military Officer: Why FCT Minister must apologise publicly — Gen. Buratai

Wike vs Military Officer: Why FCT Minister must apologise publicly — Gen. Buratai

Military veterans descend heavily on Wike over clash with naval officer, demand apology

Military veterans descend heavily on Wike over clash with naval officer, demand apology

Pensioners threaten naked protest, give FG deadline

Pensioners threaten naked protest, give FG deadline

Senate orders NNPCL to refund N210trn unaccounted funds to Federation Account

Senate orders NNPCL to refund N210trn unaccounted funds to Federation Account

Ibadan court clears PDP to hold National Convention

Ibadan court clears PDP to hold National Convention

Major UK visa changes affecting families, students and seasonal workers take effect

Major UK visa changes affecting families, students and seasonal workers take effect

Alleged Abusive Language: Apologise to the officer — Chidoka tells Wike

Alleged Abusive Language: Apologise to the officer — Chidoka tells Wike

FULL PROFILE: Meet Nigerian priest appointed as Vice Regent of Papal Household by Pope Leo

FULL PROFILE: Meet Nigerian priest appointed as Vice Regent of Papal Household by Pope Leo

Police secure conviction in $1m international oil fraud case

Police secure conviction in $1m international oil fraud case

Customs intercepts N29.4bn cocaine shipment

Customs intercepts N29.4bn cocaine shipment

DSS slams charges against man who called for coup

DSS slams charges against man who called for coup

Wednesday, November 12, 2025 9:11 AM
ADVERTISEMENT

Follow us on

GOCOP Accredited Member

GOCOP Accredited member
logo

NEWS EXPRESS is Nigeria’s leading online newspaper. Published by Africa’s international award-winning journalist, Mr. Isaac Umunna, NEWS EXPRESS is Nigeria’s first truly professional online daily newspaper. It is published from Lagos, Nigeria’s economic and media hub, and has a provision for occasional special print editions. Thanks to our vast network of sources and dedicated team of professional journalists and contributors spread across Nigeria and overseas, NEWS EXPRESS has become synonymous with newsbreaks and exclusive stories from around the world.

Contact

Adetoun Close, Off College Road, Ogba, Ikeja, Lagos State.
+234(0)8098020976, 07013416146, 08066020976
info@newsexpressngr.com

Find us on

Facebook
Twitter

Copyright NewsExpress Nigeria 2025