Chelsea ‘may have to travel to games on EASYJET flights’ amid financial woes

Chelsea’s players have reportedly been told the club will be ditching private jets and five-stars hotels amid their financial insecurity. 

In the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the club’s owner, Roman Abramovich had his British assets sanctioned under terms laid out and announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Thursday morning. 

Under the sanction, Chelsea cannot sell tickets to home or away fans, agree any new transfers or contracts, sell merchandise, spend more than £20,000 on away travel or carry out any building work on Stamford Bridge.

According to the Mirror, the Blues may now have ‘to use budget airlines’ after the players were told they will not be travelling to away games via private jets and stay at five-star hotels.  

A source told the Sunday People: ‘With the numbers of staff the club take away and the hotels they stay in, that figure will be nowhere near enough to keep up the standards players are used to.

‘Staff at the club are joking, but only half joking, that they’re going to have to start using Easyjet to away games.’

Amid the clubs financial woes, the players will also not stay at five-star hotels for away games

Brands worldwide have been desperate to distance themselves from Russia following Putin’s brutal invasion of Ukraine, which began over two weeks ago.

The situation in Ukraine is deteriorating daily with Putin accused of war crimes after his forces have consistently bombed cities, hitting civilian targets, including a children’s hospital.    

In another financial blow, car manufacturer Hyundai became the latest sponsor to suspend it’s partnership with Chelsea on Saturday, following the steps of shirt sponsor, Three, who ditched their £40million deal with the club. 

Abramovich was also disqualified as a director of Chelsea and the government have begun negotiations with the oligarch’s advisers over the terms of the sale, which Downing Street is eager to push through as quickly as possible.

A Premier League statement read: ‘Following the imposition of sanctions by the UK Government , the Premier League Board has disqualified Roman Abramovich as a Director of Chelsea Football Club.

‘The Board’s decision does not impact on the club’s ability to train and play its fixtures, as set out under the terms of a licence issued by the Government which expires on 31 May 2022.’

Car manufacturer Hyundai have become the latest sponsor to suspend its partnership with Chelsea

Abramovich was disqualified as a director of Chelsea after being sanctioned by the government

British tycoon Nick Candy has confirmed that he is still interested in taking over Chelsea

Meanwhile, numerous bidders are willing to pay over £2billion and Abramovich has struck a deal with the Government that will allow the sale to go through.

Originally, Abramovich handed over control of the club to the charity and trustees before announcing his intention to sell but he has now been backed into a corner.

It is understood he has instructed The Raine Group – the American bank that paused the sale after the Russian was sanctioned – to continue the process of completing a takeover.

Reports also suggest a deadline of the end of next week – pushed back from Tuesday – has been set for prospective new buyers’ first bids to be submitted, with Abramovich now hoping for a rapid sale and Raine hoping it attracts more bidders.

Abramovich bought Chelsea in 2003 for a reported £140million and his investment resulted in the most successful era in their history as they won five Premier League titles, five FA Cups and the Champions League twice.