UK sanctions Chelsea Football Club's Russian owner

Chelsea Football Club's owner Roman Abramovich may not be able to sell the Club after he was sanctioned by the UK government as part of its response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The Russian oligarch is said to have links with the Kremlin and President Putin.

He had put the Club up for sale but the freezing of all his assets means that no purchase can go ahead. There have been a few parties expressing interest in a potential Chelsea takeover, including a Ghanaian businessman.

Sports finance specialist Kieran Maguire told Focus on Africa's Esau Williams, a special licence will allow matches to go ahead and staff to be paid but no revenue can be generated. It may also mean players' contracts for the time being cannot be renegotiated. Chelsea has millions of fans in Africa and has signed on some of the continent's biggest stars.

Photo: Chelsea Football Club owner Roman Abramovich celebrates with Chelsea player N'Golo Kante. Credit: Getty Images.