put the club up for sale<\/a> at the start of March. His statement explained that he “believed this is in the best interest of the Club, the fans, the employees, as well as the Club\u2019s sponsors and partners” and that the proceeds from the sale would be donated to a charitable foundation set up “for the benefit of all victims of the war in Ukraine”.<\/p>\nNow, that won’t be happening.<\/p>\n
Abramovich will be blocked from selling Chelsea, albeit that the Blues can continue trading as a football club. However, they won’t be allowed to sell tickets to home or away fans, meaning that only season ticket holders can attend matches at Stamford Bridge. Merchandise sales will be halted, and none of the club’s players can be sold or offered a new contract, with new signings also banned.<\/p>\n
The positive for Chelsea fans, albeit that the outlook is rather bleak right now, is that the club can keep paying the wages of their players and staff. They can also still change ownership, but the government will have to allow the transaction to take place, and none of the proceeds would be allowed to go to Abramovich at all.<\/p>\n