Chelsea news LIVE: Club withdraw Middlesbrough request after backlash and Roman Abramovich sanctioned by EU

Chelsea in back and forth over FA Cup game against Boro, owner Roman Abramovich sanctioned further by EU and prospective buyers circle ahead of deadline

Chelsea FC owner Roman Abramovich sanctioned by UK government amid Russian oligarch crackdown

Chelsea continue to deal with the fallout of owner Roman Abramovich being disqualified as a director of the club and sanctioned by the UK government for his links to Vladimir Putin after the Russian invasion of Ukraine as prospective buyers circle ahead of Friday’s deadline for a sale.

The London billionaire, and Blues fan, Nick Candy has emerged as one of the frontrunners to buy Chelsea and several rival suitors have approached the British property tycoon on joining the bid for the Stamford Bridge club.

The UK government initially brought sanctions against Abramovich last Thursday but despite the Russian’s assets being frozen, Chelsea were handed a new licence to continue “football-related activities” and are in negotiations with the government to amend some aspects of it.

The license does not allow Chelsea to sell tickets, however, and the the club released a statement on Tuesday requesting for their upcoming FA Cup quarter-final at Middlesbrough to be played behind closed doors after they were unable to sell any more tickets for the match. Middlesbrough responded with a furious statement while the club’s chairman, Steve Gibson, called Chelsea “pathetic” over the proposals.

However, in a dramatic U-Turn, the FA then confirmed that Chelsea had removed their request to play the match in an empty stadium. It comes as Chelsea prepare to face Lille in the Champions League on Wednesday, with manager Thomas Tuchel criticising Boris Johnson’s “priorities” after the Prime Ministers called on Blues supporters to stop chanting Abramovich’s name at matches.

Chelsea FC latest - Roman Abramovich

• Chelsea remove request for FA Cup tie against Middlesbrough to be played behind closed doors after backlash
• Middlesbrough had labelled Chelsea’s request ‘pathetic’ and ‘bizarre and without merit’
• EU confirm sanctions against Abramovich to add to existing UK sanctions
• Nick Candy bid for Chelsea attracting support from rival suitors for the club
• Tuchel calls out PM Johnson over criticism of Abramovich chants
• Sports Minister wants ‘more robust’ Premier League owners’ test
• Abramovich disqualified as director of the club
• Saudi Media Group make £2.7bn bid to buy the club
• Government ‘open’ to sale if Abramovich doesn’t benefit from proceeds

[15 March 2022 00:47 · Lawrence Ostlere]

Saudi Media Group make £2.7bn bid for Chelsea

Saudi Media Group have reportedly made a £2.7bn ($3.5bn) offer to buy Chelsea. Mohamed Alkhereiji who runs Saudi Media and is CEO of it’s parent company Engineer Holding Group is an apparant Chelsea fan and is leading a private consortium with no direct government links.

There is is support in finding funding and partners from Mohammed bin Khalid Al Saud who is also chair of Saudi Telecom Company (STC). STC is State-owned and Newcastle owners PIF still have shares in it despite selling some in December.

[14 March 2022 22:46 · Lawrence Ostlere]

Chelsea news

Chelsea fans have been told to stop the “completely inappropriate” chanting of Russian owner Roman Abramovich’s name by a spokesperson of the Prime Minister.

Chelsea fans again expressed their backing for Abramovich during Sunday’s home match against Newcastle, although there were fewer chants than during the match against Norwich on Thursday.

Abramovich was sanctioned by the British Government last week over his ties to Russian president Vladimir Putin. His assets were frozen with Chelsea placed under a special licence which allows them to operate but unable to generate new revenue.

Boris Johnson’s official spokesman insists supporters should not let that blind them to Abramovich’s association to the man leading the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

“We recognise the strength of feeling around people’s clubs but that does not excuse behaviour which is completely inappropriate at this time,” he said.

“I think people can show passion and support for their club without resorting to that sort of stuff.”

The UK government has said it is still “open” to Chelsea being sold but that a new application would be needed to enable a sale. So far, the spokesman said, the club had not applied for a variation to its strict special licence.

“We are open to the sale of the club, we would consider an application for a licence to allow that to happen in the right circumstances,” the spokesman said.

“But it is for Chelsea to determine the exact process. My understanding is potential buyers would approach the club, who would then need to apply for a further amended licence to facilitate the sale.

“As far as I’m aware that hasn’t happened at this point.”

[14 March 2022 20:00 · Michael Jones]

Saudi Media Group make £2.7bn bid for Chelsea

Saudi Media Group have reportedly made a £2.7bn ($3.5bn) offer to buy Chelsea. Mohamed Alkhereiji who runs Saudi Media and is CEO of it’s parent company Engineer Holding Group is an apparant Chelsea fan and is leading a private consortium with no direct government links.

There is is support in finding funding and partners from Mohammed bin Khalid Al Saud who is also chair of Saudi Telecom Company (STC). STC is State-owned and Newcastle owners PIF still have shares in it despite selling some in December.

(AFP via Getty Images)

[14 March 2022 19:45 · Michael Jones]

Premier League and FA flag ‘integrity issues’ over Chelsea ticket ban

The Premier League and the Football Association have raised integrity concerns with the government over the Chelsea ticket sale ban, the club have said.

The government has placed the club under a special licence after sanctioning owner Roman Abramovich over his ties to Russian president Vladimir Putin. The licence is designed to prevent Chelsea – and by extension Abramovich – generating any new revenue, including from ticket sales.

Chelsea released a statement on Monday afternoon saying they were pressing the government for the right to sell tickets, and that the club were holding daily meetings to get the licence amended.

The club also revealed the Premier League and the FA had raised concerns over the licence, which prevents Chelsea selling new tickets to home areas of the ground, to away supporters visiting Stamford Bridge or to Chelsea fans wishing to watch their team on the road.

[14 March 2022 19:30 · Michael Jones]

Thomas Tuchel queries Premier League ownership tests after Chelsea beat Newcastle

Thomas Tuchel questioned the Premier League’s ownership tests following Chelsea’s 1-0 victory over Newcastle at Stamford Bridge.

Head coach Tuchel reaffirmed his commitment to the Blues despite the club’s uncertain future due to owner Roman Abramovich’s Government sanctions.

Abramovich has had all his UK assets frozen barring Chelsea in the wake of Downing Street claiming to have proven the Russian-Israeli billionaire’s links to Vladimir Putin.

Russia’s continued invasion of Ukraine, coupled with Saudi Arabia carrying out 81 public executions on Saturday, made for a tense backdrop to the Blues’ last-gasp win over the Saudi-bankrolled Magpies.

The Premier League insisted Newcastle’s owners, the Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund, proved suitable separation from the Saudi state before its takeover, despite crown prince Mohammed bin Salman chairing the PIF.

Russia’s war in Ukraine shifted the geopolitical picture to the extent where Chelsea must now operate under a stringent Government licence, to ensure Abramovich does not profit from the Blues.

[14 March 2022 19:15 · Michael Jones]

Azpilicueta could stay at Chelsea for another year

Cesar Azpilicueta could be staying at Chelsea for another year after rumours claimed he would be moving to Barcelona on a free transfer in the summer.

Azpilicueta’s current contract with the Blues ends in June and Barcelona are said to have already put a contract offer on the table for the 33-year-old.

According to Marca the Chelsea captain is Barcelona’s number one defensive target this summer with Azpilicueta keen for a move back to Spain.

However, the Spanish publication claims that Chelsea have already activated a clause in the player’s contract triggering an automatic one-year extension that kicked in after he reached 30 appearances for this season.

Azpilicueta, who missed the win over Newcastle with illness, has now made 33 appearances this season for the Blues. Barca’s desire to land the player remains, but they are not willing to pay a fee with Azpilicueta’s new one-year deal kicking in.

“Azpilicueta wants an amicable solution and he is working on it with the club,” says the report from Marca.

Roman Abramovich’s sanctioning means the club are now working under a strict Government license meaning new player sales and new contract negotiations will not be permitted.

However, since Azpilicueta triggered the clause before those sanctions last week, it is understood the player’s one-year deal will be honoured.

As Chelsea cannot add any new players to their squad at the current time they will likely be unwilling to see anyone leave the club in the foreseeable future.

[14 March 2022 19:00 · Michael Jones]

Barcelona eye surprise move for Romelu Lukaku as ‘last resort’

Barcelona are considering a surprise move for Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku this summer, according to reports for AS in Spain.

There are doubts over the futures of Ousmane Dembele, Memphis Depay, Martin Braithwaite and Luuk de Jong, with president Joan Laporta aiming to overhaul the squad. The Catalan giants are intent on rebuilding their squad under Xavi and have their sights set on signing a big name forward.

They are interested in signing Borussia Dortmund star Erling Haaland this summer, with his £63million (€75m) release clause too good an opportunity to ignore but Barca ‘openly admit’ they are behind Manchester City in the race for the 21-year-old goalscorer, so are keeping in mind other options.

Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah is the second choice target and the fact he is out of contract in June 2023, leads Barca to believe they could get him at a price between £50m and £58m (€60m-€70m).

Bayern Munich’s 33-year-old striker Robert Lewandowski is the third option, but would only be given a two-year deal due to his age and is thought to be a ‘very complicated’ deal to pull off.

That leaves Lukaku as fourth choice or the ‘last resort’ option. The 28-year-old only joined Chelsea in a club-record £97.5m deal last summer and is under contract until June 2026 but he has failed to settle back at Stamford Bridge, scoring 11 goals in 31 appearances so far this season, and is thought to be open to moving.

[14 March 2022 18:45 · Michael Jones]

Prospective Chelsea owner Nick Candy vows to include fans in decision-making

Prospective Chelsea owner Nick Candy has vowed to include Blues fans in Stamford Bridge decision-making should he take over the Champions League holders.

British property tycoon Candy is among the leading candidates to buy Chelsea from Roman Abramovich, with the UK Government overseeing the sale.

And the 49-year-old has now pledged to hand supporters a central role in Chelsea’s future should he win the rapidly-intensifying race to buy the west London outfit.

Russian-Israeli billionaire Abramovich was sanctioned by the Government on Thursday, with all his UK assets frozen bar Chelsea – with the Blues operating under special licence.

The Government will now oversee the Raine Group’s handling of the sale, with Abramovich blocked from profiting under terms of the sanctions.

[14 March 2022 18:31 · Michael Jones]

Former Liverpool chairman Sir Martin Broughton ‘keen to buy Chelsea’

Sir Martin Broughton is compiling his own bid to buy Chelsea, the PA news agency understands.

The former British Airways chairman and lifelong Chelsea fan was expected be on hand at Stamford Bridge for Sunday’s Premier League clash against Newcastle.

The 74-year-old was due to meet with Chelsea supporters groups representatives after the Blues’ first match under the new Government operating licence.

Broughton spent a short stint as Liverpool chairman in 2010 in order to broker the Reds’ eventual sale to Tom Werner’s Fenway Sports Group.

The business magnate won a court battle to push on Liverpool’s sale to FSG, who have helped drive the Anfield club back to Premier League and European summit.

[14 March 2022 18:16 · Michael Jones]

Kai Havertz scores last-minute winner as Chelsea and Newcastle serve reminder of both sides of football

A moment from Kai Havertz that displays why we keep coming back to football, in a match that offered so many reasons to stay away.

Procedure insists we must state the scoreline of this match at Stamford Bridge was a late 1-0 win for Chelsea over Newcastle United, but the real significance is not on the table or anything like this. It is what it means for the sport, and society.

The wonder is how a fixture like this will be looked back on. What will its place in history be?

There were many moments when it barely felt like a football match at all, and not just because it was mostly a poor game.

It is difficult not to feel that, just at the point where the Premier League appears to have reached a peak in terms of financial power, this showcased the absolute worst of the sport. So much of it, put bluntly, was so depressing.