Chelsea FC was today banned from selling match tickets and must close its club shop after Roman Abramovich was added to the UK’s sanctions list.
The Russian tycoon will not be allowed to sell the West London club, while unprecedented extra measures have been taken to ensure he cannot profit from its activities.
A new licence allows Chelsea to continue playing all its fixtures due to its status as a ‘significant cultural asset’, but only ‘existing ticket holders’ – including fans with season tickets – will be allowed to attend games.
The club will not be able to sign transfers or agree any new contracts, but existing staff and players will still be paid and catering services provided at matches.
Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries said: ‘Today’s sanctions obviously have a direct impact on Chelsea and its fans.
‘We have been working hard to ensure the club and the national game are not unnecessarily harmed by these important sanctions.
‘To ensure the club can continue to compete and operate we are issuing a special licence that will allow fixtures to be fulfilled, staff to be paid and existing ticket holders to attend matches while, crucially, depriving Abramovich of benefiting from his ownership of the club.
“I know this brings some uncertainty, but the government will work with the league and clubs to keep football being played while ensuring sanctions hit those intended. Football clubs are cultural assets and the bedrock of our communities. We’re committed to protecting them.”