LONDON, Might 25 (Reuters) – The British authorities has issued a licence that allows the sale of Chelsea to a consortium led by Los Angeles Dodgers part-owner Todd Boehly and backed by Clearlake Capital, sports activities minister Nadine Dorries stated on Wednesday.
Present proprietor Roman Abramovich is topic to sanctions by the British authorities. He put the London membership up on the market in early March following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which Moscow calls a “particular navy operation”.
“We’re glad the proceeds of the sale is not going to profit Roman Abramovich or different sanctioned people,” Dorries stated on Twitter.
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“Given the sanctions we positioned on these linked to Putin and the bloody invasion of Ukraine, the long-term way forward for the membership can solely be secured underneath a brand new proprietor.”
On Tuesday the consortium, which agreed phrases to accumulate Chelsea for 4.25 billion kilos ($5.33 billion) earlier this month, handed the Premier League House owners’ and Administrators’ Check. learn extra
Chelsea had been working underneath a authorities license since Abramovich’s property had been frozen in March and it was set to run out on Might 31.
Soccer Soccer – Premier League – Chelsea v Watford – Stamford Bridge, London, Britain – Might 22, 2022 Followers outdoors the stadium earlier than the match Motion Photographs by way of Reuters/Tony Obrien
The membership had earlier confirmed that every one proceeds from the sale might be donated to charitable causes by Abramovich.
“We are actually glad that the complete proceeds of the sale is not going to profit Roman Abramovich or some other sanctioned particular person,” stated a authorities spokesperson.
“We are going to now start the method of guaranteeing the proceeds of the sale are used for humanitarian causes in Ukraine, supporting victims of the conflict.”
The completion of the sale will permit Chelsea to resume switch exercise in addition to allow gamers to signal new contracts, which was prohibited as a part of the sanctions imposed.
Solely season ticket holders may earlier attend residence matches, whereas the federal government additionally introduced a ban on merchandise gross sales.
Teams led by Boston Celtics co-owner Stephen Pagliuca and former British Airways chairman Martin Broughton had been eradicated from the bidding course of, and a consortium led by Chicago Cubs homeowners the Ricketts household pulled out of the operating.
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Reporting by William James and Dhruv Munjal, writing by Muvija M; enhancing by Paul Sandle, Peter RUtherford
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