In Yoruba parlance, a friend of one’s enemy is another enemy. This perhaps informed the hostility meted to billionaire Abramovic, the owner of Chelsea Football Club of England. Or, how do we explain the blanket ban placed on the Russian by UK government !
The Russian-Ukrainian war has been globally condemned by many nations across the world. In expressing their annoyance against Russia and solidarity for Ukraine, most of the world’s super powers have been slamming various embargo on Russia government, firms and private individuals who have affiliation with Russian government. Such affiliation has become an affliction and any relationship with President Putin is seen as a plague.
Presumably regarded as President Putin’s friend, Mr. Abramovic became a victim of vendetta as he was banned form UK where he is the proud owner of one of the formidable clubs in the world. The ban may not be unconnected with
Russiaโs full scale invasion of Ukraine.
Prior to the ban, Abramovich had reportedly applied for a British Tier 1 investor visa in 2018 but swiftly withdrew his application after he was found to have links with the Russian government as well as strings of business connections to Russian president Vladimir Putin.
War are won on different strategic approaches. Abramovich may not be the target but every individual who is connected with the Russian government may be picked to face sanctions in a bid to compel president Putin to embrace ceasefire.
Physical war is complemented by emotional attack. As it is, the heat may be turned on other influential people who are complicit in the actions of the Russian leadership, banks and companies of significance. This is about inflicting pain on Putin and degrading the Russian economic system over time.
Upon becoming the owner of Chelsea in June 2003, Abramovic has massively injected collosal sum of dollars to the club and this has practically transformed the almost moribund club into a giant on the world football stage.
Since he salvaged the fortune of the club, Chelsea has won eighteen major trophies including the European Champions League, English Premier League and FA Cup. Abramovich is the owner of private investment company Millhouse LLC.
Consequent upon the ban, the Russian billionaire has handed the control of the club to trustees of its charitable foundation on Saturday.
Justifying his decision, Roman had said in a statement on the club’s website that he had always viewed his role as a “custodian of the club”.
It is understood that Abramovich took the decision in order to protect Chelsea from reputational damage as war rages in Ukraine. It remains to be seen whether Roman Abramovic would sell the club outrightly.
However, there are questions about his long-term future at the club. Whether Abramovich will ever return to taking a more visible hands-on role at the club will likely depend strongly on whether he faces any sanction and what happens in Ukraine and the UKโs relationship with Russia.
Abramovich was a confidante of former Russian president Boris Yeltsin and current Russian leader Vladimir Putin. He was formerly Governor of Chukotka Autonomous Okrug from 2000 to 2008. According to Forbes, Abramovich’s net worth was US$12.9 billion in 2019, making him the eleventh-richest in Russia.
Few days ago, the UK government had ordered all assets of President Vladimir Putin and his Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov frozen over the invasion of Ukraine.
The Treasury issued a financial sanctions notice against the two men adding them to a list of Russian oligarchs already targeted.
The vendetta was not only on Chelsea. FIFA and UEFA have also banned Russian football clubs and national teams from all competitions. The two bodies had argued that football is a vector for unity and peace amongst people.
With this development, Russian men’s team will not play their World Cup play-off matches next month and the women’s team have been banned from this summer’s Euro 2022 competition.
Spartak Moscow have also been kicked out of the Europa League and their last-16 opponents RB Leipzig will advance to the quarter-finals. In the same vein, the final of UEFA champions league hitherto slated to hold in Russia has been rescheduled for Stade de France.
Roman Abramovich has reportedly accepted Ukraine’s offer to participate in peace talks and try to bring an end to Russia’s invasion of the neighbouring country. Meanwhile, a report, contrary to the invasion revealed that the UK government chose to deal with Abramovich over money laundering issue.
Comrade Lekan Badmus is a columnist with Oduduwa News and a Public Opinion Analyst.
For comments:
lekanbadmuscolumn@gmail.com.