Chelsea
fans must stop the "completely inappropriate" chanting of Russian owner
Roman Abramovich's name, the Prime Minister's spokesman has said.
Blues supporters again expressed their backing for Abramovich during
Sunday's home match against Newcastle, after he was sanctioned by the
British Government last week over his ties to Russian president Vladimir
Putin.
Abramovich's assets were frozen, with Chelsea placed under a special licence
which allows them to operate but unable to generate new revenue.
The billionaire has brought unprecedented success to Chelsea since he bought
the club in 2003, but Boris Johnson's official spokesman insists supporters
should not let that blind them to Abramovich's association to the man
leading the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
"We recognise the strength of feeling around people's clubs but that does
not excuse behaviour which is completely inappropriate at this time," he
said.
"I think people can show passion and support for their club without
resorting to that sort of stuff."
The Government has said it is still "open" to Chelsea being sold but that a
new application would be needed to enable a sale. So far, the spokesman
said, the club had not applied for a variation to its strict special
licence.
"We are open to the sale of the club, we would consider an application for a
licence to allow that to happen in the right circumstances," the spokesman
said.
"But it is for Chelsea to determine the exact process. My understanding is
potential buyers would approach the club, who would then need to apply for a
further amended licence to facilitate the sale. As far as I'm aware that
hasn't happened at this point."
Abramovich first put the club up for sale on March 2 and a number of
interested parties are understood to remain in the frame despite the
imposition of sanctions.
These include British billionaire Nick Candy, a consortium featuring Los
Angeles Dodgers part-owner Todd Boehly and Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss,
plus interest from former Liverpool chairman Martin Broughton.
The Government will oversee the sale process to ensure there is no benefit
to Abramovich, with New York merchant bank the Raine Group handling the
sale.
Downing Street did not rule out the hotel at Chelsea's Stamford Bridge
ground being used to house Ukrainian refugees.
The PM's official spokesman said: "We would certainly want to see wherever
is possible (used), we are open to all options."
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