LONDON (AP) — The British government said Wednesday that Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich has been given a last chance to hand over 2.5 billion pounds ($3.25 billion) he promised to provide to victims of Russia’s Ukraine war through the sale of Premier League club Chelsea.
Abramovich was forced to sell the club after being hit by British sanctions over his links to Russian President Vladimir Putin following Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Ahead of the sale in 2022, Abramovich said he would set up a charity for war victims, but this has yet to happen.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “Roman Abramovich’s time is running out and he must deliver on the promises he made when Chelsea Football Club was sold. “This government is prepared to enforce it through the courts so that every penny goes to those whose lives have been torn apart by Putin’s illegal war.”
Abramovich could not immediately be reached for comment.
The funds were frozen but still belonged to Abramovich, and negotiations failed to agree on their release.
Abramovich bought Chelsea in 2003 and later sold the club to a consortium led by Americans Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital. Chelsea won the Champions League twice and the Premier League five times during Abramovich’s tenure as boss.