Premier League fans have taken to social media to discuss the fact Roman Abramovich was named among seven oligarchs to be hit with an asset freeze and travel ban under the new UK sanctions.
The government’s decision to prohibit Abramovich from completing transactions with UK individuals and businesses as been described as the ‘best thing’ to have happened to the English top-flight by rival fans.
They believe the ministers’ decision to sanction Abramovich will lead to the ‘end of the London based club’ as the restrictions will come into force before the Russian-Israeli billionaire is able to offload the Premier League side.
As a result, Chelsea’s rival supporters have flocked to social media to praise the decision to sanction the club’s owner and mock the implications it will have on the London side.
One fan wrote: ‘Please be the end of times for this club’. Another added: ‘I’m afraid London is red. Chelsea downfall starts now.’
One supporter said: ‘So he can’t sell Chelsea or fund it? Amazing news.’ While one added: ‘To say ABOUT TIME, is an understatement!’.
Another Twitter user said: ‘The British government did something that made me happy this morning. That is a welcome change.’
While others took to the social media platforms to share memes celebrating the fact Chelsea were in a difficult situation.
Roman Abramovich is among seven oligarchs to be sanctioned by the UK government
Meanwhile, Chelsea fans have described the decision to sanction Abramovich as ‘one of the worst things to happen’ to the London based club.
Abramovich’s sanction was announced on Thursday morning. Speaking about the decision, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: ‘There can be no safe havens for those who have supported Putin’s vicious assault on Ukraine.
‘Today’s sanctions are the latest step in the UK’s unwavering support for the Ukrainian people. We will be ruthless in pursuing those who enable the killing of civilians, destruction of hospitals and illegal occupation of sovereign allies.’
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss added: ‘Today’s sanctions show once again that oligarchs and kleptocrats have no place in our economy or society. With their close links to Putin they are complicit in his aggression.
‘The blood of the Ukrainian people is on their hands. They should hang their heads in shame. Our support for Ukraine will not waver. We will not stop in this mission to ramp up the pressure on the Putin regime and choke off funds to his brutal war machine.’
Extra measures have been taken to ensure Abramovich cannot profit from Chelsea’s activities in the Premier League. The club will be allowed finish their season as planned but only ‘existing ticket holders’ – including fans with season tickets – will be allowed to attend games.
Speaking about the decision, 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.
The sanctions will come into place before Abramovich is able to sell Chelsea as he planned
Chelsea will continue playing all its fixtures due to its status as a ‘significant cultural asset’, but only season ticket holders will be allowed to attend games at Stamford Bridge (pictured)
‘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.’
The decision to sanction Abramovich and the six other oligarchs came after Defence minister James Heappey referred to the bombing of a maternity hospital in Ukraine was a war crime.
Heappey subsequently called for the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, to be held to account for his actions.
Therefore, the Foreign Office said the Economic Crime Bill – which is coming into force next week – will allow UK Government to move further and faster than ever on sanctions’ to pressure Putin.
The decision to sanction him came after Russia bombed Mariupol’s maternity hospital (above)
Abramovich’s one time business partner, Oleg Deripaska (pictured), has also been sanctioned
Meanwhile, President Volodymyr Zelensky has described the attack on the maternity hospital as an ‘atrocity’ and ‘the ultimate proof of genocide against Ukrainians’.
The hospital – which is located in the besieged city of Mariupol – was hit ‘several times’ by high-explosive Russian bombs.
One of those bombs missed the building by several yards and left a crater two-stories deep, officials said.
Meanwhile, other bombs scored ‘direct hits’ according to President Zelensky. It is believe at least 17 people have been wounded by the attack.
The Ukrainian deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna went on to say that there is ‘no doubt’ that the hospital was deliberately ‘targeted’ by Russia.
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