We all know about the Roman Empire, one of the world’s most famous and greatest empire to ever exist. Magnificent emperors with extraordinary stories you might hear or read many times in your life. Not only that, the Romans left behind a lot of historical traces, from majestic buildings to amazing structures and civilization that could tell you how powerful the Romans were. Well, that is the common Roman Empire we know but that is not the Roman Empire I want to write here. Another ‘Roman Empire’ in London, the Roman Empire that Chelsea Football Club fans have known for almost 20 years. The ‘Emperor’? Mr. Roman Abramovich.
Abramovich bought Chelsea in 2003 for £140m. Since his takeover in West London, Chelsea have won 21 trophies, including in those achievements are five Premier League titles, five FA Cups, two Europa Leagues, two Champions Leagues, one UEFA Super Cup, and the latest? The club’s first FIFA Club World Cup title. All of that trophies achieved in 19 years of the ownership of the Russian businessman. To say that Chelsea gained much success during the Abramovich Era is an understatement.
Chelsea fans described Abramovich as ‘the best club owner in the world’ but in what world do the Chelsea fans imagine that Abramovich would sell the club? Most likely in a non-existent world! Millions of Chelsea fans probably would never thought that Roman Abramovich would sell the club, at least not in the near future. But one strike is all it takes to change the world.
Russia’s invasion to Ukraine surely has affected not only the Ukraine and its citizen, but also the world. The attack take a toll on a lot of aspects, economy, politics, international affairs, even sports. In Chelsea’s case, this war hit the club hard: the club is now for sale. Yap, your eyes are not playing tricks on you, you read it right just as you read hundreds of reports and news on your internet about it. Abramovich was initially just going to handed the stewardship and care of Chelsea to the club’s Charitable Foundation but few days later the Russian owner put out a statement saying he is going to let go the club.
“As I have stated before, I have always taken decisions with the Club’s best interest at heart. In the current situation, I have therefore taken the decision to sell the club, as I believe this is in the best interest of the Club, the fans, the employees, as well as the Club’s sponsors and partners” the club stated on their website on March 3rd 2022. Soon enough the headline “Roman Abramovich has decided to sell Chelsea Football Club” came across the media reports and flooded the world of social media.
In the search of new owner the UK Government has sanctioned Roman Abramovich on the 10th of March 2022. “Chelsea FC owner Roman Abramovich has been sanctioned by the UK government as part of its response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine” bbc.com wrote. “He is one of seven oligarchs to be hit with fresh sanctions, including assets freezes and travel bans” as the report said. As it is known, Roman Abramovich has a strong ties to Russian President, Vladimir Putin. UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson sees this sanction as “there can be no safe heavens” for those who have supported the invasion. So what this means for Chelsea? How come the club operates if they have been sanctioned?
By now, Chelsea FC are now using UK government’s special licence to operate the club, including the selling of the club. The licence giving Chelsea the permission to still be in the competitions they are in for this season. Oh, did I mentioned that the sanction also affected Chelsea’s plan for their players? Yes, the sanction including no player transfer in or out and no new contract extension for current players. How about the fans? Chelsea will not be able to sale their merchandise or ticket, for now only season ticket holders can attend Chelsea match. Let’s take a look at Chelsea’s sponsors, shall we? Some of the club’s sponsors have put their partnership on hold, including their on shirt sponsor, ThreeUK. There goes another storm for the world and European champion.
Alright, that is a lot to take because it is a lot to take and these past few weeks has been like a roller coaster ride for Chelsea Football Club. News circling around, media attention on the club, questions about the club’s situation being asked on press conference and post-match interviews, all in the middle of the storm and the search of new owner, while keeping focus on games and competitions. If I can take the situation form a movie, it’s like Thanos when he snapped his fingers, everything has changed (no pun intended) in the blink of an eye.
Now the million dollar question: could this be really the end of Abramovich era and the fallen of The Blues’ very own ‘Roman Empire’? Sadly, it is most likely that way. Even though the era is ending, but Roman Abramovich will go down in Chelsea’s history book. Not just the trophies, a lot of iconic moments and some of the club’s big signings happened in Abramovich era and I guess it is safe to say something like “what an era it has been!”.
