Roman Abramovich Barred From UK, Risks Losing Chelsea Ownership – Report

According to local media, Roman Abramovich, the wealthy owner of Chelsea Football Club, has been forbidden from living in the United Kingdom.

This comes after Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny revealed that he is one of President Vladimir Putin’s 35 oligarch helpers.

Despite possessing a £125 million property near Kensington Palace, immigration officers are “under clear direction to strive towards ensuring Mr Abramovich cannot base himself in the UK,” according to sources.

According to DailyMail, Abramovic has not been seen at the club in months, despite his denials that he is connected to the Kremlin or has done anything to warrant sanctions.

Abramovic obtained Israeli citizenship in 2018, allowing him to visit Britain for up to six months, and used his Israeli passport to visit London in October.

Any attempt by the oligarch to apply for a permanent visa would “very probably be rejected,” according to The Sun, citing a senior source.

Meanwhile, Abramovic’s ownership of Chelsea Football Club, the World Champions, could be revoked.

As part of the sanctions on Russia, Labour MP Chris Bryant has asked for the seizure of his assets.

The MP for the Rhondda says Abramovich, “admitted in court proceedings that he paid for political influence’ and has ‘links to the Russian state and his public association with corrupt activity.”

Bryant told the House of Commons, via The Sun: “Following some of the reports in The Sun and other newspapers today.

“I’ve got hold of a leaked document from 2019 from the Home Office, which says, in relation to Mr Abramovich.

“As part of HMGs Russia strategy, aimed at targeting illicit finance and malign activity, Abramovich remains of interest to HMG due to his links to the Russian state and his public association with corrupt activity and practices.

“An example of this is Abramovich admitting in court proceedings that he paid for political influence.

“Therefore HMG is focused on ensuring individuals linked to illicit finance and malign activity are unable to base themselves in the UK and will use the relevant tools at its disposal including immigration powers to prevent this.

“That’s nearly three years ago, and yet remarkably little has been done in relation Surely Mr Abramovich should no longer be able to own a football club in this country?

“Surely we should be looking at seizing some of his assets, including his 152 million pound home? And making sure that other people who’ve had tier one visas like this are not engaged in malign activity in the UK.”