The Premier League disqualified Abramovich but Chelsea able to play

Roman Abramovich

has now been disqualified by the

as

’s director.

After UK government decided to sanction the Russian billionaire and freeze his asset, the Premier League has followed its lead. The decision was confirmed on Saturday; however, Chelsea is still able to play games notwithstanding the announcement.

"Following the imposition of sanctions by the UK Government, the Premier League Board has disqualified Roman Abramovich as a Director of Chelsea Football Club.

"The Board’s decision does not impact on the club’s ability to train and play its fixtures, as set out under the terms of a licence issued by the Government which expires on 31 May 2022."

Nizaar Kinsella, the

GOAL

's Chelsea correspondent, says:

"The announcement from the Premier League doesn't change a lot except to say that Abramovich isn't welcome in English football.

"It comes after the UK government's statement that Abramovich was being sanctioned amid a 'pro-Kremlin' stance and that he had 'a close relationship with warlord Vladimir Putin for decades'. He was also accused of 'destabilising Ukraine'.

"Abramovich has now been essentially removed from his role as a director, which had been in place since his 2003 takeover of the Blues. Such a move would have normally forced the Russian into a sale, although it is immaterial in that sense as the process of selling Chelsea is already underway.

"As for how this affects Chelsea on the pitch, it will be 'business as usual', as Thomas Tuchel put it after the win over Norwich, with the west Londoners still able to fulfil their match duties in the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League."

The Blues owner revealed that the stewardship of the club will be passed to trustees after Russia invaded Ukraine.

He wanted to sell the club and was waiting for an offer around £3 billion ($3.9bn). On March 10, his assets were frozen by the UK government as he is connected to Vladimir Putin.

Notwithstanding the sanctions, the Blues can still play. Swiss-American pair Hansjorg Wyss and Todd Boehly, Turkish billionaire Muhsin Bayrak and British duo Jamie Reuben and Nick Candy  have expressed their interest in taking over the club since Abramovich announced that he is willing to sell.

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