CliffNotes
- UK threatens to sue Roman Abramovich over Chelsea FC sale
- The funds have been frozen in a UK bank account since 2022
- UK wants the money to be used specifically for humanitarian aid
UK threatens to sue Roman Abramovich over Chelsea FC sale
What Happened
The UK government has threatened to take legal action against Roman Abramovich to ensure that the £2.5 billion raised from the sale of Chelsea Football Club goes to support humanitarian efforts in Ukraine.
The funds have been frozen in a UK bank account since Abramovich was sanctioned in 2022, shortly after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The UK government wants the money to be used specifically for Ukrainian humanitarian aid. However, Mr Abramovich has insisted that the funds should go to “all victims of the war in Ukraine”, which includes those in Russia.
Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Foreign Secretary David Lammy issued a joint statement saying:
“While the door for negotiations will remain open, we are fully prepared to pursue this through the courts if required.”
They expressed frustration at the ongoing delay, saying they want “to ensure people suffering in Ukraine can benefit from these proceeds as soon as possible”.
They also stated: “The government is determined to see the proceeds from the sale of Chelsea Football Club reach humanitarian causes in Ukraine, following Russia’s illegal full-scale invasion.”
The stalemate appears to be due to disagreements between government officials and Mr Abramovich’s legal team.
Although he cannot access the funds due to UK sanctions, the money legally still belongs to him. He was allowed to sell the club on the condition that he would not benefit financially from the sale.
When announcing the sale, Mr Abramovich said the proceeds would go to a foundation “for the benefit of all victims of the war in Ukraine.” This broader definition includes Russians affected by the war, which the UK government rejects.
Last year, a House of Lords committee criticised the ongoing delay, saying it was “incomprehensible” that Mr Abramovich’s promise had not yet been fulfilled. The report added: “This impasse reflects badly on both Mr Abramovich and the government, which ought to have pushed for a more binding commitment.”
What Next
Unless a deal is reached soon, the UK government is prepared to take the matter to court to ensure the money is spent as intended.
Negotiations remain ongoing, but ministers are signalling a tougher stance to break the deadlock.
If legal proceedings begin, it could take months to resolve, meaning further delays in delivering support to Ukrainians in need.
The UK continues to argue that only humanitarian causes within Ukraine should benefit from the funds, not any broader definition that includes Russia.
For now, the £2.5 billion remains frozen — caught between legal ownership, international sanctions, and political disagreement over where and how it should be used.