### UK Government Moves to Sue Roman Abramovich Over Chelsea Sale Proceeds The UK government is escalating its efforts to secure the £2.5 billion proceeds from the sale of Chelsea Football Club, which have been frozen since the sale in May 2022. This action comes in light of the funds being earmarked for humanitarian aid to victims of the ongoing war in Ukraine. Roman Abramovich, the former owner of Chelsea, was sanctioned by the UK government following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which led to the forced sale of the club. The government has expressed frustration over the delay in releasing these funds, which are currently held in a UK bank account and cannot be accessed without a license from the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) [https://www.independent.ie/sport/soccer/premier-league/british-government-threaten-former-chelsea-owner-roman-abramovich-with-legal-action-over-release-of-25bn/a1168573449.html]. ### Breakdown of the Situation 1. **Background of the Sale**: - Roman Abramovich sold Chelsea FC for £2.5 billion in May 2022 under pressure from UK sanctions related to the Ukraine conflict [https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/law-order/3445342-update-1-uk-threatens-to-sue-abramovich-to-release-frozen-money-from-chelsea-sale]. 2. **Current Legal Threat**: - The UK government has threatened legal action against Abramovich to unlock the frozen funds, which are intended for humanitarian efforts in Ukraine [https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/rachel-reeves-roman-abramovich-chelsea-sale-b1230920.html]. 3. **Government's Position**: - Officials, including Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Foreign Secretary David Lammy, have stated their determination to ensure that the proceeds are used for their intended purpose, emphasizing the humanitarian need [https://newsukraine.rbc.ua/news/uk-threatens-to-sue-abramovich-over-3-2b-1748937441.html]. 4. **Legal and Financial Implications**: - The funds remain inaccessible due to the sanctions imposed on Abramovich, and the government is prepared to take the matter to court if necessary [https://www.espn.co.uk/football/story/_/id/45440009/uk-government-threatens-sue-roman-abramovich-chelsea-sale]. ### Supporting Evidence and Data - **Financial Overview**: - **Total Proceeds from Sale**: £2.5 billion (approximately $3.4 billion) [https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/uk-threatens-to-sue-abramovich-over-use-of-money-from-chelsea-sale]. - **Duration of Fund Freeze**: Since May 2022, the funds have been frozen in a UK bank account [https://www.expressandstar.com/uk-news/2025/06/03/government-threatens-legal-action-over-abramovichs-frozen-chelsea-billions]. - **Government Statements**: - The UK government has publicly expressed its frustration over the lack of progress in negotiations with Abramovich regarding the release of the funds [https://www.yardbarker.com/soccer/articles/deeply_frustrated_uk_government_prepared_to_take_roman_abramovich_to_court_over_proceeds_of_chelsea_sale/s1_17681_42275013]. ### Conclusion and Next Steps In summary, the UK government is poised to take legal action against Roman Abramovich to ensure that the £2.5 billion from the Chelsea FC sale is directed towards humanitarian efforts in Ukraine. The situation is characterized by: 1. **Legal Preparedness**: The government is ready to escalate the matter to court if negotiations fail. 2. **Humanitarian Focus**: The funds are intended to aid victims of the war in Ukraine, highlighting the urgency of the situation. 3. **Ongoing Frustration**: The prolonged freeze on the funds has led to significant frustration among UK officials, who are committed to resolving the issue [https://www.graphic.com.gh/international/international-news/uk-threatens-to-sue-roman-abramovich-over-chelsea-sale.html]. The outcome of this legal threat will be crucial in determining how the proceeds from the sale will ultimately be utilized for humanitarian purposes.