Roman Abramovich Reflects on Chelsea FC and His Departure Amidst War

Abramovich's Emotional Connection to Chelsea

In his first public remarks since selling Chelsea due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Roman Abramovich shared his profound emotional ties to the club he led for nearly 20 years. In a unique contribution to the newly published book 'Sanctioned: The Inside Story of the Sale of Chelsea FC', the Russian billionaire discussed his exit, his attempts at peace, and the sorrow of leaving the club.

Abramovich expressed, "Perhaps one day I could attend a match and say a proper farewell, but nothing beyond that." He clarified that he has no desire to take on any role within a football club, especially not a professional one.

While he has stepped away from ownership, he is still willing to support youth and academy programs that provide opportunities for underprivileged individuals, stating, "As for ownership or a professional role at a club, I am done with that in this lifetime."

Insights from 'Sanctioned': Abramovich's Role in Peace Efforts

The book reveals a rarely seen side of Abramovich, portraying him as a discreet mediator striving to facilitate peace during the initial stages of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Author Nick Purewal notes that the oligarch was actively engaged in peace negotiations from the outset, even after surviving a suspected poisoning incident in Kyiv.

This poisoning occurred after he and two aides consumed food in their apartment following negotiations. Purewal recounts that Abramovich experienced intense pain and lost consciousness, later waking up unable to see and was rushed to a hospital disguised as a civilian. His vision has reportedly never fully recovered.

Coinciding with Chelsea's FA Cup match against Luton on March 2, 2022, Abramovich issued a surprising statement announcing his decision to sell the club, pledging to donate all proceeds to war victims.

Granovskaia's Challenge: Racing Against a Government Deadline

Behind the scenes, Chelsea's leadership faced a daunting race against time. Marina Granovskaia, Abramovich's trusted aide, was determined to contest the UK government's stringent May 31, 2022 deadline for the club's sale.

Her belief that the three-month deadline was unreasonable, given the extensive due diligence required for such a significant transaction, fueled her defiance. The book highlights that this was not merely a negotiation over fees; failure could have catastrophic consequences for Chelsea.

However, not all at Chelsea supported Granovskaia's approach. Internal disagreements and pressure from government sources warning of potential club collapse led to a frantic effort to meet the deadline, with executives reportedly working 20-hour days in those final months.

Raine Group's Challenge: Narrowing Down Bidders

The Raine Group, the US investment bank managing the sale, had to sift through 280 initial expressions of interest, narrowing it down to 50, then four, and ultimately three bidders before Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital emerged as the winners.

Their journey began with a breakfast meeting at the Maybourne Hotel in Beverly Hills in March 2022. Three months later, they outbid Sir Jim Ratcliffe's last-minute offer, which included a handwritten proposal entirely in British currency, successfully closing the deal.

The book emphasizes that had Boehly and Clearlake withdrawn at any point, Chelsea could have faced ruin.

Chelsea's Return to Normalcy Post-Sale

As the sale concluded, football returned to the forefront of Chelsea's operations. One of Todd Boehly's first calls after the acquisition was from Romelu Lukaku's representatives, indicating that the Belgian striker would not remain with the club.

This marked a jarring yet symbolic return to normalcy. Purewal notes, "That call confirming Lukaku's position represented the normality that Chelsea desperately sought after their existence as a major player in English football was threatened."

Abramovich's Perspective: Moving Forward Amidst Criticism

Despite the turmoil, Abramovich maintains that he focused solely on what he believed was right. He quoted an old Russian saying, 'The dogs bark but the caravan keeps moving,' to illustrate his perspective. He remarked, "No matter what I do, people will always suspect I have an agenda. Ultimately, I acted to help."

While he may never own a football club again, 'Sanctioned' unveils the human story behind his controversial exit, extending beyond the football field into war zones, legal battles, and moments that nearly led to Chelsea's disappearance from the sport.