The United Kingdom has put wheels in motion to ban Chelsea Football Club to sell match tickets, club-branded merchandise or any other goods for the foreseeable future. That move is the way to prevent the club’s Russian owner Roman Abramovich from earning a single shilling by running the club. And it’s not where it ends. Abramovich won’t be allowed to sell the club either!The Russian oligarch has been prohibited from transactions with UK individuals and businesses – meaning his plan to sell the West London club looks impossible. Chelsea’s status as a ‘significant cultural asset’ means it has been granted a special licence to continue playing, but Abramovich will be deprived of any profits.The club will not be able to agree on any new contracts, preventing it from engaging in the summer transfer market, but existing staff and players will still be paid and catering services provided at matches. As a result of this government decision, only season ticket holders will be allowed to get in and watch games at Stamford Bridge – and the team wearing blue shirts won’t be allowed to bring any new players in. In short, Chelsea have been frozen!Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has been officially sanctioned. All UK assets frozen: sale of the club on hold. No merchandise or ticket sale allowed. 🚨 #CFCStatement also reports that “new contracts, player transfers or merchandise sales for Chelsea have been prohibited”. pic.twitter.com/UYX7NaMO1f— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) March 10, 2022 The UK Government representatives tried to reassure the fans that their club would be preserved, but, understandably, every Blues fans started to worry after reading the following government announcement.”Given the significant impact that today’s sanctions would have on Chelsea football club and the potential knock-on effects of this, the Government has this morning published a licence which authorises a number of football-related activities to continue at Chelsea. This includes permissions for the club to continue playing matches and other football-related activity which will in turn protect the Premier League, the wider football pyramid, loyal fans and other clubs. This licence will only allow certain explicitly named actions to ensure the designated individual is not able to circumvent UK sanctions. The licence will be kept under constant review and we will work closely with the football authorities.”The Blues will face Norwich City in the Premier League tonight.PREMIER LEAGUERearranged gamesThursday22.30: (1.92) Wolverhampton (3.45) Watford (4.60)22.30: (2.10) Southampton (3.50) Newcastle (3.80)22.30: (9.50) Norwich (4.90) Chelsea (1.35)22.45: (2.85) Leeds (3.40) Aston Villa (2.60)***odds are subject to change
