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Roman Abramovich should 'no longer be able to own Chelsea' — Labour MP
By Luke Brown 2022年2月24日 Updated 下午9:51 [GMT+8]
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich should be “no longer able to own a
football club in this country”, ministers have heard.
https://i.imgur.com/fj28iy2.jpg
Chris Bryant, a Labour MP, said during Business Questions at the House of
Commons on Thursday that he had obtained documents from 2019 which link
Abramovich to illicit finance and “malign activity”.
Abramovich, 55, has owned Chelsea, the reigning European champions, since
2003.
On Tuesday Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the UK is sanctioning five
Russian banks and three oligarchs, but Abramovich was not sanctioned. He
has always vehemently denied being close to the Kremlin or having done
anything which could merit him being punished.
“I have got hold of a leaked document from 2019 from the Home Office
which says in relation to Mr Abramovich: 'As part of Her Majesty's
Government's (HMG) Russia strategy aimed at targeting illicit finance and
malign activity, Abramovich remains of interest to HMG due to his links to
the Russian state and his public association with corrupt activity and
practices'.
“'HMG is focused on ensuring that his link to illicit finance and malign
activity are unable to base themselves in the UK and will use the relevant
tools at its disposal, including immigration powers to prevent this'.
“That is nearly three years ago and yet remarkably little has been done
in relation.
“Surely Mr Abramovich should no longer be able to own a football club in
this country? Surely we should be looking at seizing some of his assets
including his ￡152 million home? And making sure that other people who
have had Tier 1 Visas like this are not engaged in malign activity?”
Commons Leader Mark Spencer replied: “(Bryant) will know under the
sanctions passed in the House this week there is the opportunity for the
government to take very strong action against high-profile Russian
individuals who are of concern.
“He will be aware that the Home Secretary will be at this despatch box
next Monday for Home Office questions and I am sure he will be able to
challenge her directly.”
The Athletic has contacted Abramovich's spokesperson for comment.
Johnson claimed on Tuesday that Abramovich already faced sanctions from
the UK government, but his spokesperson later clarified that the Prime
Minister had “misspoke” in the House of Commons.
During a statement setting out measures against Russia, Johnson said
Abramovich was “already facing sanctions”.
Bryant later raised a point of order to ask about the accuracy of
Johnson's remarks and the Prime Minister's official spokesman said he
would correct the record.
(Photo: Alexander Hassenstein - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)