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ROM QUITS
ROMAN ABRAMOVICH has sensationally given up control of Chelsea after Russia invaded Ukraine.
The Blues owner - who bought the club in July 2003 - released an .
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It comes on the eve of the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool at Wembley tomorrow afternoon.
The six new rulers of the Stamford Bridge club are chairman Bruce Buck , Blues' women's boss Emma Hayes, head of the National Lottery Sir Hugh Robertson and Piara Powar.
Lawyer John Devine and Paul Ramos, director of finance, make up the six new trustees.
Abramovich said: "During my nearly 20-year ownership of Chelsea FC, I have always viewed my role as a custodian of the Club, whose job it is ensuring that we are as successful as we can be today, as well as build for the future, while also playing a positive role in our communities.
"I have always taken decisions with the Club’s best interest at heart. I remain committed to these values.
"That is why I am today giving trustees of Chelsea’s charitable Foundation the stewardship and care of Chelsea FC.
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"I believe that currently they are in the best position to look after the interests of the Club, players, staff, and fans."
Blues fans reacted with shock at the news, and are confused if it means he has fully stepped away.
Abramovich remains the club's owner and can still invest money into the club.
The decision is understood to be an attempt to distance the club from the controversy surround him.
Earlier this week Labour MP Chris Bryant stated Russian billionaire Abramovich should be barred from owning the club.
There were concerns over his links to "corrupt activity and practices".
Latest in Ukraine...
- Missiles rained down on the country in the third night of war
- Terrifying thermobaric rocket launchers capable of 'exploding' enemy's lungs 'seen heading towards Ukraine'
- 'Hundreds' Russian soldiers have been captured, a Ukrainian MP has claimed.
- A missile slammed into the side of an apartment building, killing two people in Kyiv
- Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy refused a US offer to evacuate the Kyiv and vowed to stay and fight
- Defiant Ukrainian soldiers are using UK missiles to fight off Putin's invasion
- A Russian cargo ship was seized in the English Channel for 'violating EU sanctions'
- Western allies agreed to boot Russian banks out of the Swift system
- The Kremlin's official website was downed by hackers
- Hero Ukrainian soldiers repelled a savage attack on a vital junction
- The PM vowed to rush through laws to target dirty money funneled through Britain by Russian oligarchs
- Roman Abramovich gave up control of Chelsea football club
There was no mention of the war in Ukraine in the statement.
It is not known whether he will officially sell the club, with KPMG valuing the Blues at £1.6billion.
He has never given any indication that he would sell the Premier League giants prior to the statement being released.
The Telegraph report that Chelsea insist the club is not for sale.
They add that the decision from Abramovich has not been made in an attempt to avoid sanctions.
And although some Russian oligarchs are having their assets frozen by the British government due to events in Ukraine, Abramovich has not been sanctioned.
What Roman has won at Chelsea
5 x Premier League
2 x Champions League
5 x FA Cup
3 x League Cup
2 x Europa League
1 x Club World Cup
If he did face similar penalties that would prevent a takeover of Chelsea as Abramovich would not be able to sell an asset he owns.
Even if sanctions were placed on the 55-year-old, legal experts believe that the government would agree an official “carve out” of Chelsea from any prospective actions to avoid significant impact on the club.
Regardless, sources close to Abramovich insist he has done nothing that would make him liable to sanctions.
Yesterday, his daughter Sofia shared an anti-Vladimir Putin meme on social media.
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And today it was reported that US investors are keen on buying the Club World Cup champions.
He has won five Premier League titles during his astonishing tenure at the club.
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