Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich has handed over management of English Champions League winners Chelsea FC to the trustees of the football club’s charitable foundation.
This is according to a statement issued by the Premier League club on Saturday evening. “During the nearly 20 years that I have owned Chelsea FC, I have always seen myself as a guardian of the club whose mission is to ensure that we are as successful as we can be today while playing a positive role in our community,” Abramovich shared.
He had always acted in the best interests of the club. Therefore, he is now placing the management and oversight of the club in the hands of the trustees, Abramovich added. These, he said, are in the best position to look after the interests of the club, players, staff and fans.
Abramovich has come under increasing criticism in recent days for his closeness to Russian President Vladimir Putin. Calls for sanctions against the Chelsea owner have grown louder.
The decision comes just one day before the final of the English League Cup against Liverpool FC and thus the clash between the two German coaches Thomas Tuchel and Jürgen Klopp on Sunday.
