Don't pay any attention to anything you read about this from sport journalists because they all have zero clue what they are talking about and just love having an opportunity to paint doomsday scenarios.

It might be the beginning of the end for Abramovich or it might not.

CFC existed before Abramovich and it will exist long after too.

We're a top 10 in the World club in every aspect other than stadium size, playing in the richest league and situated in probably the most attractive city in Europe for people from abroad.

1 hour ago, dkw said:

Based on absolutely nothing, these journalists just embarrass themselves daily. 

Let's be fair! Some of them do genuinely have "insiders" at clubs who give them genuine info. The Times is not exactly a rent-a-rag like The Star.

12 minutes ago, startedwithglenn said:

Don't pay any attention to anything you read about this from sport journalists because they all have zero clue what they are talking about and just love having an opportunity to paint doomsday scenarios.

It might be the beginning of the end for Abramovich or it might not.

CFC existed before Abramovich and it will exist long after too.

We're a top 10 in the World club in every aspect other than stadium size, playing in the richest league and situated in probably the most attractive city in Europe for people from abroad.

This
And remember if Chelsea came up for sale the list of wealthy individuals, companies, even countries that would be interested wouldn't see the club fall from grace any time soon.

"I don't think the fans should be concerned at all about what is going on. I think it will sort itself out. The club is in very safe hands, the fans should not worry at all."

John Obi Mikel.

In JOM we trust. 

In answer to the post creator no, I don't believe so.

There is a real possibility this is the end of the Abramovich era. Under Roman the club have achieved all the available trophies and it may be that the stadium plans take on a different perspective when the government won't let him invest.

If it is true that Roman has withdrawn his investment Visa request then he won't be able to pay for any stadium or squad improvements. If he sells he will make a modest profit without all the agro of building a new stadium and providing the government with proof of clean money. Of course it could get even more complicated were the government to freeze his assets. My experience of dealing with the inland revenue is that they are like a dog with a bone. Once they've got their teeth in they don't let go. I know this isn't the IR but they seem to be dead set on cleaning up the Russian money. Why would Roman drop his application? Do we think he will run CFC from outside the country and the government will just let him slip in on an Israel visa to go down the Bridge? I can't see it somehow.

There's more to come on this story but big money people generally like their money more than anything else so if push comes to shove I suspect Roman would rather take a modest profit on a sale than fight the government.

Were this to happen the future of the team would be down to the new owners. Best we could hope for would be a Saudi prince that the UK sells arms to.

 

9 hours ago, Andy North said:

There is a real possibility this is the end of the Abramovich era. Under Roman the club have achieved all the available trophies and it may be that the stadium plans take on a different perspective when the government won't let him invest.

If it is true that Roman has withdrawn his investment Visa request then he won't be able to pay for any stadium or squad improvements. If he sells he will make a modest profit without all the agro of building a new stadium and providing the government with proof of clean money. Of course it could get even more complicated were the government to freeze his assets. My experience of dealing with the inland revenue is that they are like a dog with a bone. Once they've got their teeth in they don't let go. I know this isn't the IR but they seem to be dead set on cleaning up the Russian money. Why would Roman drop his application? Do we think he will run CFC from outside the country and the government will just let him slip in on an Israel visa to go down the Bridge? I can't see it somehow.

There's more to come on this story but big money people generally like their money more than anything else so if push comes to shove I suspect Roman would rather take a modest profit on a sale than fight the government.

Were this to happen the future of the team would be down to the new owners. Best we could hope for would be a Saudi prince that the UK sells arms to.

 

I'm more optimistic, I think the UK quite simply couldn't renew Abramovich's visa politically without looking weak - "you're all talk with diplomat explusions but when push comes to shove you need our money". Public outcry would have been immense. Then of course Abramovich (with Putin whispering in his ear) predictably said, "ok if your economy doesn't want my money, find the £1bn investment yourself".

Ultimately though the UK does want the Russian money, and Abramovich does want access to the most important financial centre in the world.

Provided no-one in the West or Russia does anything stupid in the next year or so there'll likely be a "de-escalation" meeting at some point, after which the Home Office will mysteriously no longer care where Abramovich's money came from and his visa will be renewed as part of the "new, more positive" relationship.

Edited June 4, 20188 yr by Fatty_Speeding

21 minutes ago, Fatty_Speeding said:

I'm more optimistic, I think the UK quite simply couldn't renew Abramovich's visa politically without looking weak - "you're all talk with diplomat explusions but when push comes to shove you need our money". Public outcry would have been immense.

 

There would have been no public outcry IMO. It would have passed with hardly any public comment. In fact nobody would have noticed. Having his application delayed is what took everybody by surprise, and now it's news, so if he ever gets a visa application accepted in the future, all of a sudden it will cause an outcry.

How on gods tiny planet, would the pathetically run Government know exactly what entails 'Work in the Uk' for RA, imagine Marina starts spending money like 2003,.....Did you know about this Roman...Nyet... and this....nyet....pretty pathetic, if they showed this much gusto and importance to Brext it would be delivered by now.....

On 04/06/2018 at 22:30, Davey Baby said:

 

There would have been no public outcry IMO. It would have passed with hardly any public comment. In fact nobody would have noticed. Having his application delayed is what took everybody by surprise, and now it's news, so if he ever gets a visa application accepted in the future, all of a sudden it will cause an outcry.

It would have been splashed everywhere, Corbyn in particular would have jumped all over it. The Russian government would have been partuclarly smug and emboldened while our Western allies facepalmed at our inability to back up our words with actions.

Time heals all wounds however.

3 hours ago, Fatty_Speeding said:

It would have been splashed everywhere, Corbyn in particular would have jumped all over it. The Russian government would have been partuclarly smug and emboldened while our Western allies facepalmed at our inability to back up our words with actions.

Time heals all wounds however.

 

Corbyn's the one who's been saying don't be so quick to blame the Russians. Abramovich has had a residence here and been investing here for 15 years. The renewal of his investment visa wouldn't have caused a splash, seeing as he's almost part of the furniture. It was only when the decision was delayed (not even rejected) that it became big news. Prior to that, nothing, there was no great speculation.

Justice for Roman #freeRoman 

On 04/06/2018 at 23:14, Ballack & Blu said:

How on gods tiny planet, would the pathetically run Government know exactly what entails 'Work in the Uk' for RA, imagine Marina starts spending money like 2003,.....Did you know about this Roman...Nyet... and this....nyet....pretty pathetic, if they showed this much gusto and importance to Brext it would be delivered by now.....

Brexit is infinitely more complex and difficult to navigate then Roman Abramovich's visa.

17 hours ago, Total-Football said:

Brexit is infinitely more complex and difficult to navigate then Roman Abramovich's visa.

Nothing like a sensible answer to wash away my woes..

On 01/06/2018 at 21:23, Munkworth said:

"I don't think the fans should be concerned at all about what is going on. I think it will sort itself out. The club is in very safe hands, the fans should not worry at all."

John Obi Mikel.

In JOM we trust. 

Yeah, Mikel's really got his finger on the pulse. In terms of someone equipped to take  the temperature of a footballing patient, look no further than  JOM

Edited June 8, 20188 yr by Ewell CFC

1 hour ago, Ewell CFC said:

Yeah, Mikel's really got his finger on the pulse. In terms of someone equipped to take  the temperature of a footballing patient, look no further than  JOM

 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-5822633/Roman-Abramovich-rejects-approach-sell-Chelsea-Jim-Ratcliffe.html

31 minutes ago, fitz said:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-5822633/Roman-Abramovich-rejects-approach-sell-Chelsea-Jim-Ratcliffe.html

Thanks for posting that interesting development. The way things have gone, if that was a serious offer, i'm surprised Roman didn't bite the guys hand off.

We all know Roman has never played ball with the media, but this is an extremely important time in the history of Chelsea FC. Can he for once come out and tell everyone wtf is really going on!!! No other club would let things fester the way we are doing. 

I can't recall he has ever addressed the fans before on anything, just a note from Buck occasionally.

35 minutes ago, Ballack & Blu said:

I can't recall he has ever addressed the fans before on anything, just a note from Buck occasionally.

He's a silent as the Sphinx.

I don't even know who that guy is. I am surprised he is the richest man in Britain. Do they mean the richest Brit in Britain? I am sure there must be a Chinese, Arab, or Russian businessman who is wealthier surely. 

4 minutes ago, enigma said:

I don't even know who that guy is. I am surprised he is the richest man in Britain. Do they mean the richest Brit in Britain? I am sure there must be a Chinese, Arab, or Russian businessman who is wealthier surely. 

Far as I’m aware he is the richest man in Britain including foreigners. The guy is worth 21bn I didn’t realise he was that rich til this news came out.

8 minutes ago, boomerdog said:

Far as I’m aware he is the richest man in Britain including foreigners. The guy is worth 21bn I didn’t realise he was that rich til this news came out.

Just looked him up, apparently his net worth has increased by 15bn since last year... that might explain why I didn’t think he was as rich as he is now.

1 hour ago, boomerdog said:

Far as I’m aware he is the richest man in Britain including foreigners. The guy is worth 21bn I didn’t realise he was that rich til this news came out.

I am not sure many would know who he is tbh. Quite impressive given he is worth so much money. Did you know who he was before reading about him? 

He's in the news today:

Quote

In the year he was revealed to be Britain's richest man - with a £21bn fortune - there is a knighthood for Jim Ratcliffe, chief executive of chemical group Ineos, for services to business and investment

Intriguing developments.