What now Chelsea?

[ekhibee]

I was just wondering, Abramovich is a close friend of Putin, shouldn't he be asked to leave the country, or at the very least relinquish his assets? Just a thought..

[Lendo]

I was just wondering, Abramovich is a close friend of Putin, shouldn't he be asked to leave the country, or at the very least relinquish his assets? Just a thought..

Seen that Schalke have removed Gazprom from their shirts.

Will also be cheering on Betis tonight against Zenit.

[Paulie Walnuts]

Ban Chelsea from competing.

[HoboHarry]

I was just wondering, Abramovich is a close friend of Putin, shouldn't he be asked to leave the country, or at the very least relinquish his assets? Just a thought..
Not going to happen, he became an Israeli citizen not too long ago IIRC.....

[LancsHibs]

Not going to happen, he became an Israeli citizen not too long ago IIRC.....

Doesn’t stop the money being ‘dodgy’

[Since452]

Seen that Schalke have removed Gazprom from their shirts.

Will also be cheering on Betis tonight against Zenit.

This kind of thing gives me a lot of hope. The whole world needs to show how abhorrant Russia's actions are.

[JohnM1875]

This kind of this gives me a lot of hope. The whole world needs to show how abhorrant Russia's actions are.

Totally agree and hope they do. My only worry is that Russia just won't care at all.

[Fuzzywuzzy]

Gazprom still a sponsor of the champions league or whatever comp it was?

[Paulie Walnuts]

Gazprom still a sponsor of the champions league or whatever comp it was?

Yup

[Ozyhibby]

If his assets are frozen then I’m not sure how Chelsea could carry on? It loses money so it would immediately have to go into admin without his ability to cover those losses.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[J-C]

Totally agree and hope they do. My only worry is that Russia just won't care at all.


More like Putin won't care, ex head of the KGB and now head of the Russian state, he has all that power in his hands until he goes too far and his Generals decide to take action.

[Billy Whizz]

Gazprom still a sponsor of the champions league or whatever comp it was?

Saw a journalist posting that the main sponsors should pull out unless Gasprom are emptied

[jacomo]

Not going to happen, he became an Israeli citizen not too long ago IIRC.....


He did, because he was refused a UK visa.

Abramovich is in deep with Putin. His money is stolen. If government means what it says, his assets will be seized tomorrow.

F*** Chelsea. They could survive on special measures for a few months before being bought by some other billionaire.

[jacomo]

More like Putin won't care, ex head of the KGB and now head of the Russian state, he has all that power in his hands until he goes too far and his Generals decide to take action.


If the people around Putin start losing their Surrey mansions and their riches then it might just change the dynamic.

It depends whether government is going to act or not.

[Jones28]

This is probably a Holy Ground comment but I was listening to LBC today and there was a guest on talking about the Russian money question. He basically said the money has been so thoroughly laundered through the UK economy its basically untraceable.

[ekhibee]

Just saw this on the BBC News website:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-60506563

[et_hibby]

Any other clubs, closer to home perhaps, who’ve benefited from dodgy money coming out of the former USSR and should maybe go onto the blacklist? (Particularly if they forgot to pay their poppy bill?) 🤔

[Pretty Boy]

Abramovich's private plane left Monaco this afternoon and landed in Moscow just before 15.15.

I wonder if he was on board.

[CropleyWasGod]

If his assets are frozen then I’m not sure how Chelsea could carry on? It loses money so it would immediately have to go into admin without his ability to cover those losses.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It's made profits for 5 out of the last 6 years.

[The 90+2]

Abramovich's private plane left Monaco this afternoon and landed in Moscow just before 15.15.

I wonder if he was on board.


Probably away to Moscow to give Romanov a visit. Another one who shafted one of the baltic nations.

[andrew70]

https://www.forbes.com/sites/daviddawkins/2022/02/24/roman-abramovich-has-sanction-insurance-a-2-billion-loan-to-chelsea-fc/?sh=49959d7e1be7&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=socialflowForbesMainTwitter&utm_source=ForbesMainTwitter

[jacomo]

https://www.forbes.com/sites/daviddawkins/2022/02/24/roman-abramovich-has-sanction-insurance-a-2-billion-loan-to-chelsea-fc/?sh=49959d7e1be7&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=socialflowForbesMainTwitter&utm_source=ForbesMainTwitter


This is a matter of political will.

That article is laughable. The stakes are much higher than one football club. Abramovich’s assets should be seized, he’s a gangster. The loan isn’t legitimate because his money is dirty money.

[The 90+2]

Couldn't they go into admin and bump the **** as a creditor?

[Chuck Rhoades]

This kind of thing gives me a lot of hope. The whole world needs to show how abhorrant Russia's actions are.

You mean Putin’s actions? You can’t discriminate against the whole country. Have you seen the thousands of Russians risking their lives protesting around Russia opposing the war?

[CropleyWasGod]

Couldn't they go into admin and bump the **** as a creditor?

He's almost certainly a secured creditor so would be first in the queue to get his money back.

[Viva_Palmeiras]

Thought he converted the loans into shares no?

[Jack]

https://www.forbes.com/sites/daviddawkins/2022/02/24/roman-abramovich-has-sanction-insurance-a-2-billion-loan-to-chelsea-fc/?sh=49959d7e1be7&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=socialflowForbesMainTwitter&utm_source=ForbesMainTwitter

I would assume if Roman Abramovich has sanction insurance the policy would have to be Russian otherwise it would be frozen too if it had to pay out.

A bit of a Catch 22 situation.

[FilipinoHibs]

Abramovich was a rubber duck salesman and suddenly through a loan secured on shares bought a big stake in a Russian oil company (Subnet) for £100 million and sold some of the shares for £1800 million. It was a scam that Putin used to buy Russia's resources at rock bottom prices through intermediaries like Abramovich. These intermediaries then funnel some of the stolen profits back to Putin through dodgy banks like Ukio Bankas! Chelsea are in £1.5 billion of debt to Abramovich, so will be interesting how this unfolds.

[monarch]

Any other clubs, closer to home perhaps, who’ve benefited from dodgy money coming out of the former USSR and should maybe go onto the blacklist? (Particularly if they forgot to pay their poppy bill?) 🤔

In 2013 ex Hearts chairman Leslie Deans, who championed Romanov, was charged with money laundering through his estate agency business. The charges were subsequently dropped. Just saying.

[NORTHERNHIBBY]

Surely the end point for sporting sanctions is an embargo for Russia on all fronts? Russia , China and Cuba could then set up their own Commie Games.

[Coco Bryce]

The Tories will have made sure the Russians switched their bank accounts in time before the financial sanctions were placed on them.

[A Hi-Bee]

I know it is only fitba, but I would kick them rusky's out of all sport, ban Chelski as well,

[Gmack7]

The Tories will have made sure the Russians switched their bank accounts in time before the financial sanctions were placed on them.

Like an ultimate reward account, they'll even bump th £15 monthly fee.
Surely a matter of time until th CL final is moved from St petersburg

[Bostonhibby]

Like an ultimate reward account, they'll even bump th £15 monthly fee.
Surely a matter of time until th CL final is moved from St petersburgIt's going to Paris now.

Sent from my SM-A750FN using Tapatalk

[wallpaperman]

I know it is only fitba, but I would kick them rusky's out of all sport, ban Chelski as well,

Yeah, I think if almost all the national federations in UEFA got together and said they will not compete against either Russian clubs or the national side, this would force UEFA to effectively boot Russian clubs out.

This could have a huge effect on the Russian psyche back home, and is the sort of thing that might hit home to the Russian people (not that I am saying they support the action, it appears to be far from the case).

It’s a drastic measure, but these are exceptional times.

[NORTHERNHIBBY]

Yeah, I think if almost all the national federations in UEFA got together and said they will not compete against either Russian clubs or the national side, this would force UEFA to effectively boot Russian clubs out.

This could have a huge effect on the Russian psyche back home, and is the sort of thing that might hit home to the Russian people (not that I am saying they support the action, it appears to be far from the case).

It’s a drastic measure, but these are exceptional times.


These steps would help to foment unrest in Russia and hopefully isolate the hunger for aggression to Putin and his fellow KGB sympathisers and not the man in the street. In the days of the USSR this would never have been a consideration for Soviet Leaders.

[Hibs4185]

In 2013 ex Hearts chairman Leslie Deans, who championed Romanov, was charged with money laundering through his estate agency business. The charges were subsequently dropped. Just saying.

I’ve mentioned before…..he’s still at it. Buying assets for dodgy Iranians who were trying to get cash out of Iran before new sanctions a few years ago.

[Lago]

Not going to happen, he became an Israeli citizen not too long ago IIRC.....
Residence is Monico, apparently heading back to Moscow today on private jet, probably to get his orders from mad Vlad.

[Billy Whizz]

Yeah, I think if almost all the national federations in UEFA got together and said they will not compete against either Russian clubs or the national side, this would force UEFA to effectively boot Russian clubs out.

This could have a huge effect on the Russian psyche back home, and is the sort of thing that might hit home to the Russian people (not that I am saying they support the action, it appears to be far from the case).

It’s a drastic measure, but these are exceptional times.

Spartak Moscow in the last 16 Europa League draw
Wonder if RB Leipzig will refuse to play them, and what would the consequences be if they did

[PatHead]

I know it is only fitba, but I would kick them rusky's out of all sport, ban Chelski as well,

Starting with the Paralympics next week. I know it is not meant to be a Russian team but is in everything but name.

[Nakedmanoncrack]

Yeah, I think if almost all the national federations in UEFA got together and said they will not compete against either Russian clubs or the national side, this would force UEFA to effectively boot Russian clubs out.

This could have a huge effect on the Russian psyche back home, and is the sort of thing that might hit home to the Russian people (not that I am saying they support the action, it appears to be far from the case).

It’s a drastic measure, but these are exceptional times.

Only exceptional because the victims of aggression are in Europe.
'Booting out' countries who invade others would be a laudable enough aspiration, but I suspect people saying things like this don't actually mean it, they mean the OTHER countries, not ourselves & friends.

[ekhibee]

I would ban Belarus too, their president has offered to help Russia. He's another megalomaniac. He's hated in his own country. Just as well there's no any particularly good Belarus fitba teams.

[jacomo]

Only exceptional because the victims of aggression are in Europe.
'Booting out' countries who invade others would be a laudable enough aspiration, but I suspect people saying things like this don't actually mean it, they mean the OTHER countries, not ourselves & friends.


It’s not a time for whataboutery.

We can discuss Western hypocrisy and inconsistency all day long, but it can’t be an excuse for inaction.

As more knowledgeable people than me have said, the best time to take action to stop Russian oligarch gangsters was 30 years ago.

But we can - and should - still draw a line in the sand now.

[Oscar T Grouch]

I see the Champions League final has been moved to Paris from St Petersberg, they are also dumping the Sochi GP from this seasons F1 calendar

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60520933

[Keith_M]

I see the Champions League final has been moved to Paris from St Petersberg, they are also dumping the Sochi GP from this seasons F1 calendar

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60520933



Good, it's a start

[Since452]

Formula One have binned the Russian GP. More good news.

[Hibiza]

The Tories will have made sure the Russians switched their bank accounts in time before the financial sanctions were placed on them.

Spot on Sur .

[whiskyhibby]

And Russia have been kicked out of the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest, that should make Putin think 🤔🤣🤣🤣

[Lendo]

25588

[Nakedmanoncrack]

It’s not a time for whataboutery.

We can discuss Western hypocrisy and inconsistency all day long, but it can’t be an excuse for inaction.

As more knowledgeable people than me have said, the best time to take action to stop Russian oligarch gangsters was 30 years ago.

But we can - and should - still draw a line in the sand now.

Its not whataboutery to point out that what is sadly happening right now is not exceptional, plenty people acting like invasions are unheard of, without any sense of self awareness, plenty people all over social media talking about 'solidarity' and demanding action without a clue.

[J-C]

I can't remember this much outcry when Russia invaded Ukraine before in 2014, why so much now and not so much then?

[MWHIBBIES]

I can't remember this much outcry when Russia invaded Ukraine before in 2014, why so much now and not so much then?

Does it ****ing matter?

[A Hi-Bee]

I can't remember this much outcry when Russia invaded Ukraine before in 2014, why so much now and not so much then?

If we end up getting dragged into this ****-fight of a war I would expect a small outcry from a few on here, i suspect that the then incursion was a wee bit less than the full out war now being waged against the population of a country the size of France.

[J-C]

If we end up getting dragged into this ****-fight of a war I would expect a small outcry from a few on here, i suspect that the then incursion was a wee bit less than the full out war now being waged against the population of a country the size of France.

Looking at Ukraine, I didn't realise the resources they had as a country, 2nd biggest in Europe with only just over 40millions population, huge reserves of titanium, manganese, uranium, mercury, shale gas and coal, plus 1st in the world in sunflower oil production and 2nd in Barley production and that's only a small portion of what they produce. It's now fairly obvious a good few of the reasons why Russia want to control it.

I remember what happened in 2014 but can't recall the huge condemnation world wide of it happening as there is now, was there or did I somehow miss it?

Some of the pictures and reporting coming out are very sad and I hope we can find a solution soon for the sake of the people of the country.

[Fergus52]

Surely the end point for sporting sanctions is an embargo for Russia on all fronts? Russia , China and Cuba could then set up their own Commie Games.

Cuba's current politics is absolutely nothing at all like China or Russia's

[Corstorphine Hibby]

The Tories will have made sure the Russians switched their bank accounts in time before the financial sanctions were placed on them.

And you know that for a fact?

[JimBHibees]

And you know that for a fact?

That's what good friends do

[NAE NOOKIE]

Its not whataboutery to point out that what is sadly happening right now is not exceptional, plenty people acting like invasions are unheard of, without any sense of self awareness, plenty people all over social media talking about 'solidarity' and demanding action without a clue.

I get the sentiment mate, but human nature being what it is the closer to home something is the more people feel it. This is a full scale invasion of a major European country by one of the largest military forces on the planet. At this point It doesn't really matter a toss what their 'reasoning' is for it or how many times 'the west' has gone into other countries with at best dodgy reasons for doing so.

The fact here is that Russia is under the control of a guy who sees himself as a latter day Tzar who want's to expand his sphere of influence and at worst is looking to recapture states that were part of the old USSR or at least install puppet governments in them. The question isn't what will happen to Ukraine because eventually it will collapse under the overwhelming force of arms it faces.

The real question is what will he do next? This is a guy who is prepared to make tacit threats about the use of nuclear weapons against any attempt to interfere with his armed invasion of an independent sovereign state. Will he be prepared to stop at Ukraine or are the Baltic states next? They have plenty of ethnic Russians, will they be next to plead for help from 'mother Russia' against the Nazi regimes who are persecuting them.

In the end statements like the one you have made are in the same ball park as 'whitabootery' whether you want to defend it against that accusation or not. This is a crisis which is on our doorstep and no amount of 'aye, but that happens all over the place all the time and hardly anybody is bothered' makes it any less dangerous for us does it?

The bottom line here is that Ukraine is goosed and there's absolutely nothing the west can do about it. Though I would say that invading a country is one thing, controlling it afterwards is a whole different ball game as recent history has shown time after time. The other part of that bottom line is that this must be the absolute end of any backing down to Putin, it must be made clear that any attempt to invade a NATO member country, or Finland or Sweden NATO members or not, will be met with the fullest military retaliation NATO can muster. At this point how can any other course of action be contemplated, this man has already shown that he has utter contempt for anything other than military might.

[PolmontHibby]

There are some bizarre comments on here considering a country with a 45 million population is getting invaded, with a force massed against it larger than what was used for D-day.

A few months ago I wondered whether GB.News had taken over hibs.net, and it now seems that Nigel Farage or Aaron Banks might be on here as well.

[Kato]

I can't remember this much outcry when Russia invaded Ukraine before in 2014, why so much now and not so much then?Boris Johnson, and much of our press, blamed the EU for that one. There was mostly shoulder shrugging and everyone moved on.

Sent from my SM-A528B using Tapatalk

[PolmontHibby]

Boris Johnson, and much of our press, blamed the EU for that one. There was mostly shoulder shrugging and everyone moved on.
to e
Sent from my SM-A528B using Tapatalk

I am going to sign off after this one as getting too political and depressing, however.....

Boris Johnson in 2014 was in his second term as London Mayor, having been heavily backed by the son of a senior KGB official who somehow found the funds to buy the London Evening Standard and The Independant Newspapers....and who BJ then gave a peerage to and is now Baron Lebedev, of Hampton in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames and of Siberia in the Russian Federation.

If anyone thinks that BJ gave a **** about anything other than his own career in 2014, or now, or when he was hob nobbing with Russian officials during the Brexit campaign then they are mistaken.

[NAE NOOKIE]

Boris Johnson, and much of our press, blamed the EU for that one. There was mostly shoulder shrugging and everyone moved on.

Sent from my SM-A528B using Tapatalk

Agreed, but this situation is night and day compared to that. This is a full blown invasion of the entire country with bombs and missiles being fired at it's infrastructure in order to cripple it militarily and without doubt economically, Russian soldiers are already surrounding it's capital and hundreds of Ukrainians have been killed with more to come including civilians, already thousands of refugees are streaming towards Ukraine's neighbours.

If ( lets face it, when ) Putin pulls this off who is next, Hungary, the Baltic States ............. Poland? The west now has no option other than to make it absolutely clear that Ukraine is the last straw and that any further military action in Europe by Putin against any country, NATO member of not, will trigger an overwhelming military response.

[houstonhibbee]

Agreed, but this situation is night and day compared to that. This is a full blown invasion of the entire country with bombs and missiles being fired at it's infrastructure in order to cripple it militarily and without doubt economically, Russian soldiers are already surrounding it's capital and hundreds of Ukrainians have been killed with more to come including civilians, already thousands of refugees are streaming towards Ukraine's neighbours.

If ( lets face it, when ) Putin pulls this off who is next, Hungary, the Baltic States ............. Poland? The west now has no option other than to make it absolutely clear that Ukraine is the last straw and that any further military action in Europe by Putin against any country, NATO member of not, will trigger an overwhelming military response.
Why not a military response now? We seem to be standing by and allowing them to get away with this

[FilipinoHibs]

Cuba's current politics is absolutely nothing at all like China or Russia's

Fact Cuba helped support the independence movement fight in Angola and Mozambique against colonial power Portugal. Instrumental in topling the dictatorship in Portugal. Supported the Chilean elected government against the CIA backed coup. Sent doctors and Nurses to Italy to fight the first Covid wave there.

[The Baldmans Comb]

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-10553185/ANDREW-NEIL-West-impotent-long.html

Even an ultra British Nationalist such as Andrew Neil and a mouthpiece like the Daily Mail know that Ukraine is totally lost.

According to both Al Jazeera and Associated Press the Americans have offered to fly Zelinsky out before Kiev falls which it will within days.

His response was and his direct quote was "Its anti tank misilles I need not a free ride".

Such a very brave man though its been a text book military operation from the Russians who are taking their lead from the impressive American military offensive in Iraq and taking Kiev first of all, liquidating the leadership then mopping up afterwards while putting in their own puppet administration.

The only difference being the Russian didn't bother with the WMD fairy story.

[green day]

Why not a military response now? We seem to be standing by and allowing them to get away with this

Russias 6000 nuclear weapons, perhaps?

[A Hi-Bee]

Why not a military response now? We seem to be standing by and allowing them to get away with this

Nato, have already said that if one boot from Russia moves into a Nato country then that is an act of war, lets all hope and pray it never comes to that eh!

[houstonhibbee]

Russias 6000 nuclear weapons, perhaps?
So we just let them take over the world?

[A Hi-Bee]

Russias 6000 nuclear weapons, perhaps?

Is this fact correct?

[Allant1981]

Is this fact correct?

Dont think anyone will ever know the exact number but most experts reckon they have about 6000

[A Hi-Bee]

Dont think anyone will ever know the exact number but most experts reckon they have about 6000

I always thought the numbers had been reduced somewhat by treaty. How, many does the west have, is ours bigger than theirs. How many does it take to end the planet?

Scary times when football becomes kind of unimportant.

[gaz1875]

I always thought the numbers had been reduced somewhat by treaty. How, many does the west have, is ours bigger than theirs. How many does it take to end the planet?

Scary times when football becomes kind of unimportant.

The numbers were reduced by around 2,000 from the 6,000 on each side.

[Since90+2]

I always thought the numbers had been reduced somewhat by treaty. How, many does the west have, is ours bigger than theirs. How many does it take to end the planet?

Scary times when football becomes kind of unimportant.

Realistically, you'd only need a handful of nuclear bombs to be dropped to bring about the break down of society and civilization as we know it. The fact we have about 10000 in the world is mind boggling.

[MWHIBBIES]

Seems this journalist has been prevented from mentioning Chelsea in this acticle about Russian sportswashing because of an injunction.

https://twitter.com/barneyronay/status/1497496078337417217

Sporting success with never be worth this. I'd walk away from Hibs the second we sold out soul to someone like him.

[Since452]

Seems this journalist has been prevented from mentioning Chelsea in this acticle about Russian sportswashing because of an injunction.

https://twitter.com/barneyronay/status/1497496078337417217

Sporting success with never be worth this. I'd walk away from Hibs the second we sold out soul to someone like him.

Agreed.

[A Hi-Bee]

Realistically, you'd only need a handful of nuclear bombs to be dropped to bring about the break down of society and civilization as we know it. The fact we have about 10000 in the world is mind boggling.

I did see a map that showed just 4 nukes would eradicate the whole of Scotland, so it's just as well we have a balance when each side knows it is oblivion for all, should things go wrong. As for Football and Sport, ban them and ban anyone with close connections to Russian money, including Chelski.

[CropleyWasGod]

I did see a map that showed just 4 nukes would eradicate the whole of Scotland, so it's just as well we have a balance when each side knows it is oblivion for all, should things go wrong. As for Football and Sport, ban them and ban anyone with close connections to Russian money, including Chelski.

Where would you stop with that, though?

Saudi money? Qatari money?

American money?

[A Hi-Bee]

Where would you stop with that, though?

Saudi money? Qatari money?

American money?

Just the Russians and all the money men in Londongrad who have facilitated this farce for so long.
Ban Russia from all sport and knock them out of SWIFT see how the like them apples.

[CropleyWasGod]

Just the Russians and all the money men in Londongrad who have facilitated this farce for so long.
Ban Russia from all sport and knock them out of SWIFT see how the like them apples.

...whilst ignoring the continued Saudi bombing of Yemen, with US and UK weapons?

That's the slippery slope we'd be on.

[heretoday]

People of Russia! You need to understand that your nutty little leader is going to trigger a nuclear holocaust and you and your families are going to get obliterated.

[CropleyWasGod]

People of Russia! You need to understand that your nutty little leader is going to trigger a nuclear holocaust and you and your families are going to get obliterated.

Hibs.net.

The first place Russians go for their political guidance :greengrin

[NAE NOOKIE]

Why not a military response now? We seem to be standing by and allowing them to get away with this

Because its too late mate, that and like it or not Ukraine isn't a member of NATO. If NATO showed they were prepared to step in to defend a non NATO member by sending troops and hardwear to directly combat Russian troops in Ukraine then it blows out of the water it's claim to be a mutual defence organisation and it would become something else.

Having said that, members or not NATO could at this point make it clear that any move against Finland or Sweden would be viewed as the precursor to an invasion of neigbouring NATO countries and make it clear that they would get involved, with an obvious add on that any move against an actual NATO member would see cruise missiles heading towards the Kremlin, something I think they have already done in fact.

The time to stop Putin was after the annexation of Crimea by arming Ukraine to the teeth with anti tank and anti aircraft missiles, not to wait until a fortnight before his invasion started before sending stuff like that to them in a vain attempt to give them anything like the numbers they needed. A hard lesson that Ukraine is paying for, but a lesson that must now be learned from. As I said, NATO has already made it clear that any incursion into a member state will be met with a gloves off response, that needs to be backed up by sending so many anti tank and anti aircraft missiles to NATO front line countries that from space they look like bloody porcupines. If Putin doesn't like it that's too bad, he claimed that he had no intention of invading Ukraine and look how that turned out, this has to be done no matter how many threats he makes.

All this makes me sound like some sort of hawkish bloody warmonger, whereas the truth is I would rather be pushing flowers into the barrels of the guns and watching the world put all this ***** aside to concentrate on climate change, disease, poverty and fitba. But the truth is despots live and breath on the inaction and complacency of folk like me, never in the history of the world has standing back in the hope that folk like Putin will beat their swords into ploughshares worked out and you would have to be an idiot to ignore that fact.

[A Hi-Bee]

...whilst ignoring the continued Saudi bombing of Yemen, with US and UK weapons?

That's the slippery slope we'd be on.

So we just allow all them bankers, accountants and lawyers in Londongrad to continue washing the estimated 100billion per year, through the City of London, some real big hitters involved i am tempted to say that the feasting down there means that the dirty money is so entrenched in Britain it would be badly missed. Something should to be done, if it was up to me I would take the world cup away from the Arabs as well so as to not ignore what is going on with the middle east as well.
Lots of difficult questions we can perhaps ponder at some later date or time if allowed.

[ekhibee]

Is this fact correct?

It might be, but there's absolutely no chance they'd use them. Poor quality as well, they've had numerous problems with them during testing over the years, and that goes back to the cold war years. American missiles are far more reliaable, accurate and have a larger damage factor. The US has only recently started upgrading again, they had about 3750 in 2020 and up to 5500 in 2021. Another difference is logistics, a lot of Russia's nukes are portable, the US usually use silos.

So I guess if Abramovitch's assets are indeed suspended, Chelsea could potentially be liquidated?

[A Hi-Bee]

It might be, but there's absolutely no chance they'd use them. Poor quality as well, they've had numerous problems with them during testing over the years, and that goes back to the cold war years. American missiles are far more reliaable, accurate and have a larger damage factor. The US has only recently started upgrading again, they had about 3750 in 2020 and up to 5500 in 2021. Another difference is logistics, a lot of Russia's nukes are portable, the US usually use silos.

So I guess if Abramovitch's assets are indeed suspended, Chelsea could potentially be liquidated?

All them bombs and it would only take 4 of them to obliterate Scotland, Abramovitch and a few others are almost untouchable as they have funded half of the establishment (including our very own Bo-Jo) in todays London.

[EdinMike]

It ain’t no Co-Inky-dink they found a tonne of oil within the legal rights of the Ukraines sea which just happened to be in the area of Crimea in 2012, and somehow a pro Russian politician found himself In charge of Crimea in 2014, and just let Russia walk in…

[jacomo]

Seems this journalist has been prevented from mentioning Chelsea in this acticle about Russian sportswashing because of an injunction.

https://twitter.com/barneyronay/status/1497496078337417217

Sporting success with never be worth this. I'd walk away from Hibs the second we sold out soul to someone like him.


Injunction or threat of legal action do you think?

Either way it’s chilling.

Time to seize all Abramovich’s assets in the UK, they were all bought with the proceeds of crime anyhow.

[houstonhibbee]

Because its too late mate, that and like it or not Ukraine isn't a member of NATO. If NATO showed they were prepared to step in to defend a non NATO member by sending troops and hardwear to directly combat Russian troops in Ukraine then it blows out of the water it's claim to be a mutual defence organisation and it would become something else.

Having said that, members or not NATO could at this point make it clear that any move against Finland or Sweden would be viewed as the precursor to an invasion of neigbouring NATO countries and make it clear that they would get involved, with an obvious add on that any move against an actual NATO member would see cruise missiles heading towards the Kremlin, something I think they have already done in fact.

The time to stop Putin was after the annexation of Crimea by arming Ukraine to the teeth with anti tank and anti aircraft missiles, not to wait until a fortnight before his invasion started before sending stuff like that to them in a vain attempt to give them anything like the numbers they needed. A hard lesson that Ukraine is paying for, but a lesson that must now be learned from. As I said, NATO has already made it clear that any incursion into a member state will be met with a gloves off response, that needs to be backed up by sending so many anti tank and anti aircraft missiles to NATO front line countries that from space they look like bloody porcupines. If Putin doesn't like it that's too bad, he claimed that he had no intention of invading Ukraine and look how that turned out, this has to be done no matter how many threats he makes.

All this makes me sound like some sort of hawkish bloody warmonger, whereas the truth is I would rather be pushing flowers into the barrels of the guns and watching the world put all this ***** aside to concentrate on climate change, disease, poverty and fitba. But the truth is despots live and breath on the inaction and complacency of folk like me, never in the history of the world has standing back in the hope that folk like Putin will beat their swords into ploughshares worked out and you would have to be an idiot to ignore that fact.
I thought Ukraine agreed to get rid of its nuclear threat on the understanding that if they were invaded we would defend them?

[Lancs Harp]

It ain’t no Co-Inky-dink they found a tonne of oil within the legal rights of the Ukraines sea which just happened to be in the area of Crimea in 2012, and somehow a pro Russian politician found himself In charge of Crimea in 2014, and just let Russia walk in…

Not a great time to be defending Russia in anyway but the Crimea situation is pretty complicated and highly contentious. Historically it has certainly spent more time as part of Russia than it has as part of Ukraine and was "given" to Ukraine by Khrushchev in the 50s Khrushchev was the leader of the communist party in Ukraine before of course becoming the President of the Soviet Union when he gifted Crimea to Ukraine. Russian/ Soviet block politics make Irish politics look non league. There are of course more correct ways of solving differences than just being bertie big bullox and invading.

[Sir David Gray]

I thought Ukraine agreed to get rid of its nuclear threat on the understanding that if they were invaded we would defend them?

They did.

[CyberSauzee]

I was out last night with a Chelsea season ticket holder. He was very pragmatic when I asked him about the possibility of losing funding from Abramovich. If it ends they've had a great ride he said. I can see where he's coming from, European Champions twice and numerous league titles and other cups.

It might even be his last year as a season ticket holder as his £1200 per year seat will cost £3k next season.

[Lancs Harp]

Abromovich hands over power (at least officially) to the Chelsea Trust.

[04Sauzee]

Chelsea statement

https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/2022/02/26/statement-from-club-owner-roman-abramovich?utm_source=tw&utm_medium=orgsoc&utm_campaign=none

[Hibbyradge]

Back to obscurity where they belong.

[The 90+2]

RA hands over control of Chelsea to supporters trust they just said on Sky.

[660]

These legal loopholes are tedious as **** given they are only accessible to the wealthy

[The 90+2]

Abromovich hands over power (at least officially) to the Chelsea Trust.

I wonder how many Russian sponsors Chelsea will now have next season. I'm guessing a lot more than right now.

[A Hi-Bee]

They did.

Along with the U.S. and ironically enough "Russia"

[cabbageandribs1875]

chelsea owes it's owner(him)....the man that escapes sanctions, $2bn, he's also loaned himself, i mean THEM, another $26m just in the last several months




i'm quite sure they will be fine

[SHODAN]

And just like that Chelsea go back to mid-table.

[Lancs Harp]

And just like that Chelsea go back to mid-table.

Im guessing there's plenty of provision there and wont make little difference in the short to medium term. Chelsea will have long since planned RA's legacy. What do you think would have happened should he have suddenly died for instance?

[The 90+2]

And just like that Chelsea go back to mid-table.


No chance of that happening. There will be investors sitting by the phone as we speak.

[MWHIBBIES]

And just like that Chelsea go back to mid-table.

No chance. Chelsea have a squad worth loads, brilliant young players, great sponsorship deals, CL money etc. Absolutely no way they just disappear.

[660]

No chance. Chelsea have a squad worth loads, brilliant young players, great sponsorship deals, CL money etc. Absolutely no way they just disappear.

Chelsea aren’t where they are on merit. It’s purely financial although I’m not sure how much this charity thing will materially affect their finances.

[MWHIBBIES]

Chelsea aren’t where they are on merit. It’s purely financial although I’m not sure how much this charity thing will materially affect their finances.

He inflated them at first. Its been years since his money has been the main reason. Chelsea are a superclub now. They are also probably the best in the world at selling players. They get crazy money for sales, always.

[J-C]

Depends how much he's been bankrolling them in the last 3-5 years. Is everything in place to just carry on, if not as has been said, mid table here they come.

[Lancs Harp]

He inflated them at first. Its been years since his money has been the main reason. Chelsea are a superclub now. They are also probably the best in the world at selling players. They get crazy money for sales, always.

They make £3 million a home match too. Not their sole or indeed highest revenue stream but its eyewatering compared to where most clubs are at.

[Dashing Bob S]

Can’t see them going back to mid table. Also think that West Ham will soon be sold to foreign buyer and Arsenal and Spurs will reinvest. In our unitary centralized political system London dominates the UK in finance, and I think all their main clubs will continue to grow.

[Ronniekirk]

RA hands over control of Chelsea to supporters trust they just said on Sky.

It talks about handing over stewardship of the club But no real detail on the nuts and bolts of how this works


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[The 90+2]

It talks about handing over stewardship of the club But no real detail on the nuts and bolts of how this works


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You would have to believe he will have it covered regardless.

Like I said mate they could sell the rights to their stadium to a Russian company for £2b and it would be allowed. In five years when the rights end he could easily be back running things.

Would Uefa say or do anything? Probably not as they have too much rubles to lose.

[jacomo]

Chelsea statement

https://www.chelseafc.com/en/news/2022/02/26/statement-from-club-owner-roman-abramovich?utm_source=tw&utm_medium=orgsoc&utm_campaign=none


I’m sorry what?

How? When? That statement is so brief it’s almost meaningless.

EDIT: the detail seems to be that he stays as owner with ‘stewardship’ handed to the Chelsea Charitable Foundation (who are all his appointees) and the existing directors continue to run the club.

This is just window dressing.

[CropleyWasGod]

Depends how much he's been bankrolling them in the last 3-5 years. Is everything in place to just carry on, if not as has been said, mid table here they come.

Apart from the most recent year, they have generally been run at a profit.

[The 90+2]

Fair play:

“The Chelsea Supporters’ Trust is deeply saddened and shocked by the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent loss of life,” the CST statement read.
“We note Mr Abramovich’s statement and are seeking urgent clarification on what this statement means for the running of Chelsea FC.
“The CST board are ready to work with the trustees of The Chelsea foundation in order to ensure the long-term interests of the club and supporters.
“We stand with the people of Ukraine.”

[Lancs Harp]

Fair play:

“The Chelsea Supporters’ Trust is deeply saddened and shocked by the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent loss of life,” the CST statement read.
“We note Mr Abramovich’s statement and are seeking urgent clarification on what this statement means for the running of Chelsea FC.
“The CST board are ready to work with the trustees of The Chelsea foundation in order to ensure the long-term interests of the club and supporters.
“We stand with the people of Ukraine.”




To be fair mate just words, diplomatic words. Like the words of the West and NATO.Just a bit hallow maybe.

[Coco Bryce]

Means absolutely nothing. He still owns the club and will still fund it. Just means he's keeping a low profile as the UK government should have frozen his UK assets but in reality have done **** all.

[Greenio]

Defo siding with Putin then?

[MWHIBBIES]

Defo siding with Putin then?

Romans daughter posted her support for Ukraine yesterday.

[The 90+2]

To be fair mate just words, diplomatic words. Like the words of the West and NATO.Just a bit hallow maybe.

Fair play.

At least they aren't staying silent though.

[jacomo]

To be fair mate just words, diplomatic words. Like the words of the West and NATO.Just a bit hallow maybe.


If the owner remains the same and all the key people remain the same then this announcement by Abramovich is just a PR stunt.

Of course Putin is well versed in those.

[Bostonhibby]

Im guessing there's plenty of provision there and wont make little difference in the short to medium term. Chelsea will have long since planned RA's legacy. What do you think would have happened should he have suddenly died for instance?I'm guessing that as soon as it becomes acceptable for him to resume his pre invasion relationship with his connections in the UK the club will transfer back to it's pre invasion state also and it will be business as usual for this sanction free oligarch.


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[Bostonhibby]

Means absolutely nothing. He still owns the club and will still fund it. Just means he's keeping a low profile as the UK government should have frozen his UK assets but in reality have done **** all.Nail, hammer, heid.
Unless of course the UK government want to thoroughly examine this arrangement to see if it's just a smoke and mirrors one to ensure he slips by any sanctions for the short to medium term

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[CropleyWasGod]

Means absolutely nothing. He still owns the club and will still fund it. Just means he's keeping a low profile as the UK government should have frozen his UK assets but in reality have done **** all.

He doesn't actually own it, which is where the sleight of hand will be. It's owned by Fordstam Limited, which is owned by him, and which is funded by a British Virgin Islands company.

I reckon the Fordstam shares in Chelsea will have been temporarily transferred to a Trust.

[Bostonhibby]

He doesn't actually own it, which is where the sleight of hand will be. It's owned by Fordstam Limited, which is owned by him, and which is funded by a British Virgin Islands company.

I reckon the Fordstam shares in Chelsea will have been temporarily transferred to a Trust.I'm sure this is right CWG, its fortunate the UK has an offshoring and charitable system that allows these b******** to temporarily protect their assets against the very sanctions that our compromised government says it might impose.

Unless of course we want to quickly legislate to remove that particular loophole because we want to properly sanction the very people we say we want to ......... sanction.

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[neil7908]

Desperately hope they end up another average English side after this. I've always found them a thoroughly unlikeable club, and one who ushered in this era of football clubs being the play thing of rich autocrats.

[PolmontHibby]

Nail, hammer, heid.
Unless of course the UK government want to thoroughly examine this arrangement to see if it's just a smoke and mirrors one to ensure he slips by any sanctions for the short to medium term

Sent from my SM-A750FN using Tapatalk

Yep - my first cynical thought was to wonder how this move protects his assets - but I do not have the knowledge to answer that

[FilipinoHibs]

The Sugar Daddy is gone. They will have to cut their cloth accordingly and rely on TV income/season tickets and merchandise sales. They will need to sell their high earners so look for a big summer sale. Back to mediocrity for the Blues.

[scoopyboy]

The Sugar Daddy is gone. They will have to cut their cloth accordingly and rely on TV income/season tickets and merchandise sales. They will need to sell their high earners so look for a big summer sale. Back to mediocrity for the Blues.

No danger is he gone, he's just lying low for a while.

[Bostonhibby]

No danger is he gone, he's just lying low for a while.Agree, we are just allowing him to protect a few assets for a while. It's what the UK seems to do. No wonder so many Russians pay to live here.

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[Keith_M]

He doesn't actually own it, which is where the sleight of hand will be. It's owned by Fordstam Limited, which is owned by him, and which is funded by a British Virgin Islands company.

I reckon the Fordstam shares in Chelsea will have been temporarily transferred to a Trust.



I realise that you're statement is 'legally' correct, but it's quite clear that he actually owns it.


If I created a company in which I own 100% of the shares, and then buy a car in the name of that company, it's still 100% my car.

Anything else is just obfuscation.

[MWHIBBIES]

The Sugar Daddy is gone. They will have to cut their cloth accordingly and rely on TV income/season tickets and merchandise sales. They will need to sell their high earners so look for a big summer sale. Back to mediocrity for the Blues.

Someone better tell Liverpool that without a sugar daddy, they'll also need to sell everyone and will be mid table. Not.

Chelsea earn hundreds of millions in TV money, sponsorships and CL money. Roman has not been blasting money in for a while now.

They also have dozens of players on loan who will fetch fees. They could sell Connor Gallacher and Armando Broja for 40 million each without even trying.

[GreenCastle]

The Sugar Daddy is gone. They will have to cut their cloth accordingly and rely on TV income/season tickets and merchandise sales. They will need to sell their high earners so look for a big summer sale. Back to mediocrity for the Blues.

He’s not gone - plus I’m sure someone else or a consortium of owners would buy the club and the prime London property. Few rich American owners of baseball / NFL teams.

[CropleyWasGod]

Someone better tell Liverpool that without a sugar daddy, they'll also need to sell everyone and will be mid table. Not.

Chelsea earn hundreds of millions in TV money, sponsorships and CL money. Roman has not been blasting money in for a while now.

They also have dozens of players on loan who will fetch fees. They could sell Connor Gallacher and Armando Broja for 40 million each without even trying.

Other than the most recent year, they generally make a profit.

[CropleyWasGod]

The other thing that needs to be considered is whether HMG freezes or seizes Abramovic's assets.

Freezing them would make little difference, at least in the short term, to Chelsea's operations.

Seizing them is a different matter, and.opens up a whole new set of questions. Not least....HMG owning a fitba club? 😳

[jacomo]

I realise that you're statement is 'legally' correct, but it's quite clear that he actually owns it.


If I created a company in which I own 100% of the shares, and then buy a car in the name of that company, it's still 100% my car.

Anything else is just obfuscation.


:agree:

Hence the campaign to find out who the beneficial owners are hidden behind all these tax haven shell companies.

[ekhibee]

Someone better tell Liverpool that without a sugar daddy, they'll also need to sell everyone and will be mid table. Not.

Chelsea earn hundreds of millions in TV money, sponsorships and CL money. Roman has not been blasting money in for a while now.

They also have dozens of players on loan who will fetch fees. They could sell Connor Gallacher and Armando Broja for 40 million each without even trying.

They owe him 1.5 billion. If he goes down they go down, regardless of what their players are worth.

[CropleyWasGod]

They owe him 1.5 billion. If he goes down they go down, regardless of what their players are worth.

Not sure I get this. If that loan is frozen, as an asset of his, all that happens is that he can't call it in. So nothing changes in that respect.

If the shares are frozen, they can't be sold on.So nothing changes there either.

The only thing that would change is his ability to put more money into the club, although there are perhaps ways to get around that.

[The 90+2]

They owe him 1.5 billion. If he goes down they go down, regardless of what their players are worth.

He won't ever ask for that back. No chance.

[The 90+2]

Not sure I get this. If that loan is frozen, as an asset of his, all that happens is that he can't call it in. So nothing changes in that respect.

If his shares are frozen, they can't be sold on.So nothing changes there either.

The only thing that would change is his ability to put more money into the club, although there are perhaps ways to get around that.

Gazprom Stamford Bridge.

[CropleyWasGod]

The trustees of the Foundation have yet to agree to taking over.

BBC News - Chelsea trustees have not agreed to run club after Roman Abramovich move
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60549390

[jacomo]

The trustees of the Foundation have yet to agree to taking over.

BBC News - Chelsea trustees have not agreed to run club after Roman Abramovich move
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60549390


I’m not surprised. It’s hard to see how running a commercial behemoth like Chelsea fits under charitable purposes (assuming the foundation is registered with the charity commission).

[LunasBoots]

Abramovich apparently is in Belarus at Ukraines request to help with peace talks, maybe not such a bad guy after all.

[jacomo]

Abramovich apparently is in Belarus at Ukraines request to help with peace talks, maybe not such a bad guy after all.


Why would Ukraine ask him to do that?

Abramovich claims he’s not close to Putin, so what possible influence could he have? Unless…

Don’t take anything he says at face value. He’s a gangster.

[cabbageandribs1875]

The Sugar Daddy is gone. They will have to cut their cloth accordingly and rely on TV income/season tickets and merchandise sales. They will need to sell their high earners so look for a big summer sale. Back to mediocrity for the Blues.


oh no he's not


:)

[jacomo]

oh no he's not


No he absolutely isn’t.

He now seems to be doing what he can to save his own skin… having to pull the kids out of their English public school or losing the chalet in Courchavel would be a social embarrassment!

[cabbageandribs1875]

No he absolutely isn’t.

He now seems to be doing what he can to save his own skin… having to pull the kids out of their English public school or losing the chalet in Courchavel would be a social embarrassment!


i'm sure he'll get over it pretty quickly :greengrin

[ekhibee]

They make £3 million a home match too. Not their sole or indeed highest revenue stream but its eyewatering compared to where most clubs are at.

Particularly as they don't have a particularly large stadium, only the 9th biggest in the EPL.

[hibsbollah]

Johnathan Liew, best writer on football these days in my opinion

https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2022/mar/01/only-now-is-football-beginning-to-wake-up-to-the-stench-of-its-own-money

[jacomo]

Johnathan Liew, best writer on football these days in my opinion

https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2022/mar/01/only-now-is-football-beginning-to-wake-up-to-the-stench-of-its-own-money


What is truly shocking is that journalists are scared to report fully on this story for fear of being sued. As well as sanctions, what this crisis has highlighted is the urgent need for a reform of UK libel laws, which are abused by wealthy people with expensive lawyers in order to keep uncomfortable truths out of the public domain.

The anti-corruption foundation published a list of the top oligarchs linked to Putin. Abramovich is no. 1.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/context/anti-corruption-foundation-letter-to-biden/f54f6084-99cf-474b-905d-c79a86fc8a2c/?itid=lk_inline_manual_4

[A Hi-Bee]

Ban them, throw them out if need be, along with all the lawyers, accountants and bankers in the so called "City" still earning huge sums from them, the Norwegians used to have a great word for such people "Quislings" and they knew how to deal with them.
:greengrin

[Steven79]

Ban them, throw them out if need be, along with all the lawyers, accountants and bankers in the so called "City" still earning huge sums from them, the Norwegians used to have a great word for such people "Quislings" and they knew how to deal with them.
:greengrin

Plenty of quislings in Scotland and people still vote for them in their droves...

[A Hi-Bee]

Plenty of quislings in Scotland and people still vote for them in their droves...

Thats as well may be, but its not in the context I am speaking about, so no gonna go there...
:cb

[CropleyWasGod]

Is RA about to sell?

BBC News - Chelsea: Roman Abramovich future in doubt after Swiss billionaire claims he has been offered chance to buy club
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60585081

[jacomo]

Is RA about to sell?

BBC News - Chelsea: Roman Abramovich future in doubt after Swiss billionaire claims he has been offered chance to buy club
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60585081


Seems he’s having a bit of a fire sale right now.

Israel has been quiet on the whole Ukraine issue so he’s probably seeing that country as a safer haven for his ill gotten gains.

[silverhibee]

Is RA about to sell?

BBC News - Chelsea: Roman Abramovich future in doubt after Swiss billionaire claims he has been offered chance to buy club
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60585081

£3 billion for Chelsea, he is having a laugh.

Will be a few busy agents working hard for Chelsea players for summer window.

[weecounty hibby]

Everton have cut ties with three major Russian sponsors

[CapitalGreen]

Everton have cut ties with three major Russian sponsors

Until they rid themselves of Farid Moshiri those connections are still there. Moshiri owes all his wealth to Usmanov whose companies he was a board member of.

[Eyrie]

Plenty of quislings in Scotland and people still vote for them in their droves...

Not all bigots are Ugly Sisters fans.

Keep your politics on the Holy Ground forum please.

[Allant1981]

Chelsea statement issued, RA not wanting the money owed from the loans and setting up a foundation to gove money to Ukraine

[CropleyWasGod]

Chelsea statement issued, RA not wanting the money owed from the loans and setting up a foundation to gove money to Ukraine

"for the benefit of all victims of the war in Ukraine"

All victims. Presumably including Russian.

I wonder if it signifies that he is distancing himself from Putin.

[Stairway 2 7]

Guy Elster
@guyelster
·
9m
#BREAKING Roman Abramovich said he had decided to sell Chelsea and promised to donate money from the sale to help victims of the war in #Ukraine

https://twitter.com/tycoon_razzi/sta...86629096632325

[Greenio]

'victims of war in Ukraine'

You got to read that as him cutting ties with Putin no?

[Stairway 2 7]

'victims of war in Ukraine'

You got to read that as him cutting ties with Putin no?

Definitely. Calling it a war or invasion is a no go in Russia

[ScottB]

'victims of war in Ukraine'

You got to read that as him cutting ties with Putin no?

I imagine he values keeping hold of his cash more, which is problem for Putin…

[jacomo]

"for the benefit of all victims of the war in Ukraine"

All victims. Presumably including Russian.

I wonder if it signifies that he is distancing himself from Putin.


I think it signifies that he is worried and trying to protect as many assets as possible. Chelsea’s value as an asset to him is written off.

[jacomo]

'victims of war in Ukraine'

You got to read that as him cutting ties with Putin no?


Abramovich has always denied links to Putin.

That’s in public. In private, there is enough to suspect things are very different.

Putin is akin to the boss of a crime syndicate, where nothing is in his name but he wields all the power.

I’ve no idea what their end game is now, but hiding the money out of reach is probably the priority.

[CropleyWasGod]

I think it signifies that he is worried and trying to protect as many assets as possible. Chelsea’s value as an asset to him is written off.

If he genuinely writes off the £1.5m debt, that turns Chelsea round from being a company reliant on him to one that has net assets of £750m.

[Iggy Pope]

Chelsea statement issued, RA not wanting the money owed from the loans and setting up a foundation to gove money to Ukraine

Oooh, ah.....

[hibsbollah]

Oooh, ah.....

I’ve always suspected there are a few ‘Russia minded’ folk on here :blah blah:

[Allant1981]

Oooh, ah.....

😁

[FilipinoHibs]

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/03/roman-empire-rise-fall-abramovich-reign-chelsea-fc?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other

[HoboHarry]

Oooh, ah.....

Cantona?

[Iain G]

I see that Amanda Staveley, she who is in bed with the Saudi Arabian ownership of Newcastle, has said that she thinks it's unfair that Abramovic is having his club taken away from him... 🙄

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/60609847

[CropleyWasGod]

"At the moment, a consortium led by Todd Boehly and Hansjorg Wyss looks the most likely to purchase Chelsea from Abramovich. Boehly, who part-owns the LA Dodgers, reportedly had a 2.2 billion pound bid for Chelsea turned down in 2019."


https://www.marca.com/en/football/newcastle-united/2022/03/04/6221d57ee2704e58108b45a0.html

[JamesHFC]

Roman Abramovich has been sanctioned by the UK govermnent which will bar the sale of Chelsea, with his assets now frozen.

[JamesHFC]

Roman Abramovich has been sanctioned by the UK govermnent which will bar the sale of Chelsea, with his assets now frozen.

Only season ticket holders can go to games for the foreseeable future.

[JamesHFC]

Only season ticket holders can go to games for the foreseeable future.

No new transfers or contracts allowed.

[Callum_62]

https://twitter.com/martynziegler/status/1501849425643245571?t=whwIvaL8a_Plkpm9kIgfMQ&s=19

Sent from my VOG-L29 using Tapatalk

[CropleyWasGod]

https://twitter.com/martynziegler/status/1501849425643245571?t=whwIvaL8a_Plkpm9kIgfMQ&s=19

Sent from my VOG-L29 using Tapatalk

"They are stuck with Lukaku, but only season ticket holders can boo him now" :greengrin

[Billy Whizz]

"They are stuck with Lukaku, but only season ticket holders can boo him now" :greengrin

Seemingly only have 28,000 season ticket holders
Seems a small amount for a club that size

[FilipinoHibs]

The net is closing :

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-60690362

[Bostonhibby]

You've got to wonder what small print a government that has Chelsea fan Michael Gove in it, has inserted to aid a chum here, or what they will actually do after this big, and overdue, headline.

Sent from my SM-A750FN using Tapatalk

[Renfrew_Hibby]

Seemingly only have 28,000 season ticket holders
Seems a small amount for a club that size

Not really the ground only holds 42K. Once the away allocation and all the corporate seats are taken into account then they are fully sold out, have been for years.
Really need a 60+K ground to satisfy demand like Spurs, Arsenal and the Hammers.

[AugustaHibs]

Chelsea can still be sold and bidders remain interested - all depends on whether or not Abraovich will allow UK govt to effectively take over the process. Story and details at @TeleFootball


Great news

[MWHIBBIES]

Scary how this is what it takes to get the league and government to do something. Newcastle and City owners should be punted too.

[Bostonhibby]

Scary how this is what it takes to get the league and government to do something. Newcastle and City owners should be punted too.[emoji106]
EPL knew in advance about the abomination that was getting hold of Newcastle by sleight of hand and waved it through so probably right up there as one of the worst of a stinking bunch.

Would like to have seen them relegated at least as there would be no other action taken by authorities who seemed quite happy with the deal.

Sent from my SM-A750FN using Tapatalk

[CropleyWasGod]

Chelsea can still be sold and bidders remain interested - all depends on whether or not Abraovich will allow UK govt to effectively take over the process. Story and details at @TeleFootball


Great news

Given that his stated intention was to forego any of the proceeds, it's basically no change then. There will be a drop in income until the sale happens, which might affect jobs, but hey ho....:rolleyes:

[SHODAN]

Couldn't happen to a nicer club. Well, in England anyway.

[sh00byd00]

Hilarious reading all the crying from fans about this. That they, as fans, are being punished. I mean, a private jet has done nothing to warrant being impounded, so how's that fair on both the jet and the people looking after the plane? Here's the thing though, just like that jet, Chelsea the actual buisness is an asset. So it's fair game.

Maybe they can sing their admiration for their owner again this weekend. After all, he can do no wrong. Administration won't be too far off too. So their loyalty will soon be tested too.

[Ringothedog]

Couldn't happen to a nicer club. Well, in England anyway.

Totally agree

[A Hi-Bee]

To steal a not so good phrase from the jamboids-"Pleasing"
:aok:

[CropleyWasGod]

Hilarious reading all the crying from fans about this. That they, as fans, are being punished. I mean, a private jet has done nothing to warrant being impounded, so how's that fair on both the jet and the people looking after the plane? Here's the thing though, just like that jet, Chelsea the actual buisness is an asset. So it's fair game.

Maybe they can sing their admiration for their owner again this weekend. After all, he can do no wrong. Administration won't be too far off too. So their loyalty will soon be tested too.

I can't see that administration is likely here.

[Billy Whizz]

I can't see that administration is likely here.

Apart from that, will they be allowed to sell season tickets for next season?

[Paulie Walnuts]

Apart from that, will they be allowed to sell season tickets for next season?

Not unless sanctions are lifted.

[Steven79]

Apart from that, will they be allowed to sell season tickets for next season?

Can't see if if they aren't allowed to sell individual tickets.

[CropleyWasGod]

Not unless sanctions are lifted.

If the club is sold, as is possible, then sanctions would be irrelevant.

[Billy Whizz]

Don’t Bournemouth have a Russian owner too

[sh00byd00]

I can't see that administration is likely here.

I dunno. They'll have outstanding payments, to other clubs etc, and if they aren't allowed to recieve revenue, how can they pay those debts? Via the tax payer? I think a lot of people stating things will be rosy, and those who, like me tbf, will be all doom and gloom, really have no way of knowing.

As a tax payer i'd be thourghly pissed if my taxes were going to some debt rich club. This ain't some small backwater club that pays out mere thousands, it will have millions of pounds of payments to meet on a near weekly basis. Those allowed payments don't stretch beyond any given timeframe. This war could run on for years. Chelsea are at risk.

It's also not beyond the realm of possibility Chelsea get punted from European comps too. Chelsea is a Russian related asset. Monaco too, but no sanctions have been placed on them thus far. That could change.

[Dashing Bob S]

You've got to wonder what small print a government that has Chelsea fan Michael Gove in it, has inserted to aid a chum here, or what they will actually do after this big, and overdue, headline.

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He's a Chelsea 'fan' in much the same way as I'm a Paris Sy Germain or Real Madrid fan.

[Bostonhibby]

He's a Chelsea 'fan' in much the same way as I'm a Paris Sy Germain or Real Madrid fan.claims to be a qpr fan. Definitely attends Chelsea matches as does his son, I've no idea how frequently you attend PSG & Madrid games though[emoji6]

Sent from my SM-A750FN using Tapatalk

[grunt]

Interesting clip from 2013 about RA's purchase of the club.
Matthew Syed can hold his head high, I think.
Jim White, not so much.

https://twitter.com/ProjectFootball/status/1499673026685775872?s=20&t=NYKhWbth_2ZUyItvYraHmA

[sh00byd00]

Interesting clip from 2013 about RA's purchase of the club.
Matthew Syed can hold his head high, I think.
Jim White, not so much.

https://twitter.com/ProjectFootball/status/1499673026685775872?s=20&t=NYKhWbth_2ZUyItvYraHmA

Jim White is well outta his depth there. :greengrin Can see JM trying to keep it simplistic so he can follow and not get too political.

[Haymaker]

Don’t Bournemouth have a Russian owner too

:agree: majority shareholder

[Iain G]

Couldn't happen to a nicer club. Well, in England anyway.

Someone should mention something about Annatoli Budgski to the government...

[Keith_M]

Don’t Bournemouth have a Russian owner too


Being Russian isn't a crime, though.

If he was an oligarch with links to Putin then he's fair game.. but he's not.

[Coco Bryce]

Russian wives are half price just now.

[Paulie Walnuts]

3 have asked Chelsea to remove their logo from their strips and stadium etc.

[heretoday]

He's a Chelsea 'fan' in much the same way as I'm a Paris Sy Germain or Real Madrid fan.

I thought he was from Aberdeen.

[FilipinoHibs]

Government stating they will not allow it to be sold by Abromovitch. They may sell it themselves and keep the proceeds frozen until the war is over or longer. They do not want him to benefit from any sale. Big issue is how do they fund themselves for the rest of season. See Guardian article below:

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/mar/10/roman-abramovich-unable-to-sell-chelsea-after-uk-freezes-assets?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other

[CropleyWasGod]

Government stating they will not allow it to be sold by Abromovitch. They may sell it themselves and keep the proceeds frozen until the war is over or longer. They do not want him to benefit from any sale. Big issue is how do they fund themselves for the rest of season. See Guardian article below:

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/mar/10/roman-abramovich-unable-to-sell-chelsea-after-uk-freezes-assets?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other

The Government can't sell the club. It's not theirs to sell.

[Glory Lurker]

Chelsea fans chanting his name tonight.

[Iain G]

Chelsea fans chanting his name tonight.

They are such a classy bunch 🙄

[Bostonhibby]

They are such a classy bunch [emoji849]I know a couple who aren't like that but they are the exception rather than the rule that's for sure.

Maybe they'll end up back as a yoyo club with gates around 16000 again after this episode. Far more likely some other crook will get involved. Candy Brothers would be a nice fit.

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[He's here!]

They are such a classy bunch 🙄

Are they any less 'classy' than fans of any other club would be if his money had enabled them to win as many trophies as Chelsea have under his ownership? There would have been Hibs fans singing his name in such circumstances.

[Hibernia&Alba]

I hope they go doon the cludgie, but they won't. Big money/dark money always comes up smelling of roses.

[jacomo]

I hope they go doon the cludgie, but they won't. Big money/dark money always comes up smelling of roses.


The restrictions on signing players, selling tickets etc will probably be lifted soon so they should be able to trade as normal… unless they are really short of cash and need bankrolling til the summer.

Who puts that money in? The taxpayer? I hope not.

Apparently their wage bill is £28m a month (!)

[NORTHERNHIBBY]

The EPL is awash with iffy money. Russia is just one of the sources.

[ScottB]

The EPL is awash with iffy money. Russia is just one of the sources.

There are no good billionaires, it’s all dodgy. Just how bad and what sort.

[Glory Lurker]

Are they any less 'classy' than fans of any other club would be if his money had enabled them to win as many trophies as Chelsea have under his ownership? There would have been Hibs fans singing his name in such circumstances.

You're not condoning them singing his name last night, are you?

[degenerated]

Things getting worse for Chelsea as Barclays suspend their bank account.

https://www.cityam.com/barclays-suspend-chelsea-fc-bank-account/

[A Hi-Bee]

Things getting worse for Chelsea as Barclays suspend their bank account.

https://www.cityam.com/barclays-suspend-chelsea-fc-bank-account/

No lover of anything Chelski but Barclays are hardly a shinning example of how to run a clean business, they should all be part of the sanctions, all the fatcat bankers, lawyers and accountants that keep this washing machine of dirty money going.
Keep all the big houses and let the refugees have them.
:thumbsup:

[degenerated]

No lover of anything Chelski but Barclays are hardly a shinning example of how to run a clean business, they should all be part of the sanctions, all the fatcat bankers, lawyers and accountants that keep this washing machine of dirty money going.
Keep all the big houses and let the refugees have them.
[emoji106]It is a bit cheeky from a bank that helped prop up apartheid in South Africa.

This will have more to do with making sure they don't lose out rather than any moral stance.

[jacomo]

Are they any less 'classy' than fans of any other club would be if his money had enabled them to win as many trophies as Chelsea have under his ownership? There would have been Hibs fans singing his name in such circumstances.


Chelsea do have a particular loathsome element to their fanbase. Last time I went to Stamford Bridge (admittedly a long while ago now) a couple of pubs were belting out ‘no surrender’ pre-match.

I don’t think the media have helped though. 5live were full of it, winding up the ‘turmoil’ angle and the plight of the poor fans. I mean, who cares?

Chelsea as a club may experience some temporary difficulties but their place amongst the elite is pretty secure - other billionaires want to buy the club, after all.

It’s not at all like worrying your club might disappear.

[He's here!]

You're not condoning them singing his name last night, are you?

No just pointing out an uncomfortable truth.

[Hibernia&Alba]

There are no good billionaires, it’s all dodgy. Just how bad and what sort.

This man has read his Marx and Chomsky. Great wealth will often (though not always) equate to great amorality/immorality. Capitalism requires, at the very least, indifference from those who take the spoils.

[Greenio]

Not a Chelsea fan by any means, but dont feel it's right to dance on their grave. There might be some elements of the club you dont like, but the vast majority of fans will just be normal people supporting the club they love. Feel for any fans facing having that fall away, be it Bury, Derby or anyone really

[Greencore]

Not a Chelsea fan by any means, but dont feel it's right to dance on their grave. There might be some elements of the club you dont like, but the vast majority of fans will just be normal people supporting the club they love. Feel for any fans facing having that fall away, be it Bury, Derby or anyone really

Would you say the same about arse cheek A and arsecheek sevco B?

Horrible club, horrible fans. Hope they go under.

[Hibernia&Alba]

Not a Chelsea fan by any means, but dont feel it's right to dance on their grave. There might be some elements of the club you dont like, but the vast majority of fans will just be normal people supporting the club they love. Feel for any fans facing having that fall away, be it Bury, Derby or anyone really

Bury and Chelsea are not comparable. Abramovic 'made' his billions by asset stripping the USSR after the fall of communism in the early 1990s. He wasn't alone in that, but he accumulated billions whilst the Russian and former Soviet people suffered greatly. It was all immoral and criminal, not that profiteers of his ilk care.

[FilipinoHibs]

Not my usual reading material but came up on Facebook feed :

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/sportsnews/article-10603589/UK-Government-open-negotiations-Roman-Abramovichs-advisers-selling-Chelsea.html

[neil7908]

Not my usual reading material but came up on Facebook feed :

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/sportsnews/article-10603589/UK-Government-open-negotiations-Roman-Abramovichs-advisers-selling-Chelsea.html

Some scary comments on that thread. But it's a Daily Mail article so I guess I shouldn't be surprised.

[Keith_M]

I posted this on the Holy Ground but thought it was relevant here as well.


Shouldn't someone in football also care about the war in Yemen just a little? (https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/mar/11/shouldnt-someone-in-football-also-care-about-the-war-in-yemen-just-a-little)



https://ichef.bbci.co.uk/news/976/cpsprodpb/14F2C/production/_121140858_gettyimages-1235938594.jpg






(https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/mar/11/shouldnt-someone-in-football-also-care-about-the-war-in-yemen-just-a-little)

[The Baldmans Comb]

Chelsea v Newcastle today.🤢🤢

Easily the sickest game in English football.😥

English football fans are the best around in terms of depth, knowledge and loyalty but their national sport and its governing body is deeply corrupt and without shame.

[Keith_M]

Chelsea v Newcastle today.🤢🤢

Easily the sickest game in English football.😥

English football fans are the best around in terms of depth, knowledge and loyalty but their national sport and its governing body is deeply corrupt and without shame.


:agree:

[MWHIBBIES]

Chelsea v Newcastle today.🤢🤢

Easily the sickest game in English football.😥

English football fans are the best around in terms of depth, knowledge and loyalty but their national sport and its governing body is deeply corrupt and without shame.

Man City vs Newcastle is worse.

[mokie]

Man City vs Newcastle is worse.


Why is this the worst ???

[Colr]

A football club is such a great way to launder dirty money.

Eh, no, Jambos?

[Keith_M]

A football club is such a great way to launder dirty money.

Eh, no, Jambos?


Especially for dodgy Russians

[Scotty Leither]

Not a Chelsea fan by any means, but dont feel it's right to dance on their grave. There might be some elements of the club you dont like, but the vast majority of fans will just be normal people supporting the club they love. Feel for any fans facing having that fall away, be it Bury, Derby or anyone really

What about fur coat and nae knickers FC from across the city? ‘Owed the money to themselves,” apparently.

Until it got called in and then creditors got told to take a hike to the tune of £28m.

Zero sympathy for Sevco, Hearts, Dundee, or any other mob that live beyond their means, get involved with fantasist “owners” or “benefactors” like Abramovich, then thumb their nose and laugh at anyone who takes them to task about it, or in Sevco’s case come back even more nasty and entitled than they were before.

**** the lot of them.

[Colr]

What about fur coat and nae knickers FC from across the city? ‘Owed the money to themselves,” apparently.

Until it got called in and then creditors got told to take a hike to the tune of £28m.

Zero sympathy for Sevco, Hearts, Dundee, or any other mob that live beyond their means then thumb their nose and laugh at anyone who takes them to task about it, or in Sevco’s case come back even more nasty and entitled than they were before.

**** the lot of them.

‘Owed the money to themselves,”

He spend a load of cash which he loans to the club, the shirt and tickets sales from the always loyal fans pay interest you can’t get elsewhere then when you flog the players on you’ve cleaned up the cash which you pocket.

There was a great article a few years back in the guardian, I think. I’ll try and find it.

[Colr]

‘Owed the money to themselves,”

He spend a load of cash which he loans to the club, the shirt and tickets sales from the always loyal fans pay interest you can’t get elsewhere then when you flog the players on you’ve cleaned up the cash which you pocket.

There was a great article a few years back in the guardian, I think. I’ll try and find it.



Not what i was thinking of but

https://bylinetimes.com/2019/04/02/football-money-laundering-a-beginners-guide/

[FilipinoHibs]

Meanwhile Saudi Arabia :

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/mar/12/saudi-arabia-executes-men-in-one-day?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other

[Greenio]

Bury and Chelsea are not comparable. Abramovic 'made' his billions by asset stripping the USSR after the fall of communism in the early 1990s. He wasn't alone in that, but he accumulated billions whilst the Russian and former Soviet people suffered greatly. It was all immoral and criminal, not that profiteers of his ilk care.

I hear you. I just feel there is a distinction to be made between the owners of a football club and the fans of that club.