37 minutes ago, Jangz said:

If the link to Ambani’s is true then this could be a bigger and newer era.. they are worth 60 bil USD.. they actually back the Indian local league.. own the biggest cricket franchise in the world..

They are known to be ruthless and enter only to dominate .. but not like RA.. they will do it like a welll engined machine investing in the ecosystem.

but I doubt they will want to get involved .. 

No, anyone but the Ambanis. They are just really horrible people, stop at nothing to grow their wealth 😢

8 hours ago, Mana said:

If we get Saudi owners, I personally wouldn't care at all. It's sad about what Saudi Arabia are doing to its citizens but why should I care? The UK government doesn't care. The PL doesn't care. The West doesn't care. FIFA/UEFA don't care. And especially Newcastle fans don't care.

Is Saudi Media going to make Chelsea an even stronger force? From what they are proposing, yes. So I want them. Over any other bidder.

I had ALOT of stick from Arsenal, United and Spuds fans over the past damn week with the "HELP SAVE THE BRIDGE" s***, and going to be a mid-table team. Now I want to see them bitter again. And cry. Wishing that Roman was still the owner.

To each his own, I guess. For me, if we get Saudi owners I think it would be impossible to support the club any longer. Success isnt everything. 

I f****** hate what football has become

 

I’m increasingly convinced that the government are deliberately ensuring the club goes out of business. It’s hardly like we have enough supporters to change a general election result. In fact this is a populist action.

I still can’t get my head around how stopping uk citizens from watching a football team and preventing the vital income of a match day (which is nothing in terms of a financial war) but everything to continued existence, is anything other than malicious and primarily targeted at the football club, not Putin (who continues to destroy Ukraine despite what’s being done to an English football club).

Edited March 13, 20224 yr by Snedger

3 minutes ago, AndyDowsleftflank said:

To each his own, I guess. For me, if we get Saudi owners I think it would be impossible to support the club any longer. Success isnt everything. 

I f****** hate what football has become

 

You right. Money has ruined it. Even though its been a great 20 years or so. Ridiculous player wages and transfer fees. Where will it end how can clubs , like our, constantly balance the books.

Sky started the rot, but the choice is go with it or don't, and I'm afraid like the majority it's Chelsea till I die 

While Chelsea and Newcastle are getting pelters for their owners, City largely remain criticism free. No-one is critising their owners despite clear links to the Yemen war. So hypocritical. Their chairman is the deputy prime minister of UAE. Even Gary Neville was talking recently about how wonderful City’s owners are. 
 

Seems the media pick and choose. 

I see Chelsea can use any money from TV and prize money to pay wages, so we won't go into administration.  Why not lift the ticket sale ban , that's only hurting the fans.

It's all crazy isn't it ?

Can Boris sanction himself and his mate please.

1 hour ago, the real shed end said:

I see Chelsea can use any money from TV and prize money to pay wages, so we won't go into administration.  Why not lift the ticket sale ban , that's only hurting the fans.

It's all crazy isn't it ?

The argument is that they don’t want any money flowing out to RA. How flawed is that viewpoint and come to that how difficult would it be to ensure that monies paid out didn’t go to RA ?
The bank of RA was there when cash flow was strained and yes according to the accounts at time some money albeit small by comparison was repaid to him but surely the politicians can see that there really isn’t any benefit whatsoever in banning the sale of such terms as programs because whilst there isn’t VAT on printed matter there is on other items and add to that it’s possible that if cash flow decisions have to be made, which I suspect is inevitable, then other creditors won’t be getting paid the priority will be the wages.

As I said the other day the government don’t for me seem to have though this through 

Edited March 13, 20224 yr by terraloon

20 minutes ago, Munkworth said:

Can Boris sanction himself and his mate please.

Yeah I must say the government’s having a delayed “lady doth protest too much” moment for the ages. The hyperbole and hypocrisy are astounding : the times the other day, saying that RA has “blood on his hands” as Evraz makes steel used to make Russian tanks is just absurd. It makes mostly unfinished profits that are exported all over the world and eventually yes some of it is used in military hardware but not just Russian. 
 

I’m generally pretty philosophical about this debacle. In a way what’s most unusual is that the Roman era lasted as long as it did. I wouldn’t have given it more than 10 years at the start. I don’t care and supporting Chelsea may become more fun. 
 

But I will be extremely disappointed if that vile Saudi regime gets to keep Newcastle. It’s pretty clear (despite all the headlines) that Roman is not a Putin man. Unscrupulous, ruthless businessman, sure. At fault for passively accepting the regime and towing the line - absolutely. But he isn’t the regime.
 

With Newcastle, it IS the fxcking regime. And this is what it does.

 

im actually hopeful that it won’t be allowed to stand. Not because this corrupt government will stop it, but because the genie is out of the bottle and the public outcry will force its hand. 

45 minutes ago, Munkworth said:

Can Boris sanction himself and his mate please.

There are a lot of unanswered questions about Russian involvement in British politics. Roman may have got his hands dirty but if you scratch below the surface you’ll find that a number of politicians have courted the money available from oligarchs.

 

22 minutes ago, Dean said:

Yeah I must say the government’s having a delayed “lady doth protest too much” moment for the ages. The hyperbole and hypocrisy are astounding : the times the other day, saying that RA has “blood on his hands” as Evraz makes steel used to make Russian tanks is just absurd. It makes mostly unfinished profits that are exported all over the world and eventually yes some of it is used in military hardware but not just Russian. 
 

I’m generally pretty philosophical about this debacle. In a way what’s most unusual is that the Roman era lasted as long as it did. I wouldn’t have given it more than 10 years at the start. I don’t care and supporting Chelsea may become more fun. 
 

But I will be extremely disappointed if that vile Saudi regime gets to keep Newcastle. It’s pretty clear (despite all the headlines) that Roman is not a Putin man. Unscrupulous, ruthless businessman, sure. At fault for passively accepting the regime and towing the line - absolutely. But he isn’t the regime.
 

With Newcastle, it IS the fxcking regime. And this is what it does.

 

im actually hopeful that it won’t be allowed to stand. Not because this corrupt government will stop it, but because the genie is out of the bottle and the public outcry will force its hand. 

UK loves that Saudi oil though. We are a walking contradiction. 

Cuddly Ken in the Daily Fail (copied from another site, in case you’re wondering)

'The fact that you can't buy a match programme must mean that Putin is s****** himself': Former Chelsea owner Ken Bates slams sanctions imposed on the club as he claims 'it is the ordinary people who are suffering'

Ken Bates has never been one to mince words and the former Chelsea owner is forthright in his condemnation of the Government sanctions imposed on the club.

While the outspoken former football executive agrees with the decision to freeze the most famous of Roman Abramovichs assets, Bates is furious that Chelsea fans and staff have been forced to suffer too, with tickets sales frozen, club facilities shut and jobs said to be at risk.

He cannot fathom what meaningful impact such measures could exert on Vladimir Putin and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The fact that you cant buy a Chelsea match programme must mean that Putin is s*****g himself and all the ordinary people of Moscow are hiding in their cellars because they cant see a Chelsea match on TV, Bates said, speaking from his home in Monte Carlo.

As usual it is the ordinary people who are suffering. Youve probably got people working at Chelsea saying do they have a job? What is their future? Do they have security? And fans at Chelsea. What have they got to do with Putin bombing maternity hospitals in Ukraine?

Instead weve got all these regulations, which just get some good headlines. "England takes firm action against Russia." If we are trying to help Ukraine we should be doing things that are meaningful.

Bates famously bought Chelsea for a £1 in 1982 before selling to Abramovich 19 years later in a deal reported to be worth around £140million.

Instead weve got all these regulations, which just get some good headlines. "England takes firm action against Russia." If we are trying to help Ukraine we should be doing things that are meaningful.

Bates famously bought Chelsea for a £1 in 1982 before selling to Abramovich 19 years later in a deal reported to be worth around £140million.

Abramovich had grown rich after acquiring state-owned assets following the break-up of the Soviet Union and was close to Putin, then serving his first term as president, but the source of his wealth was scarcely investigated in the UK at the time.

Selling it to a Russian was the same as selling to anybody else, Bates says. It was no different in those days. The dealings I had with him were always straightforward and simple.

What is his response to the oligarchs asset-freeze? I dont feel sympathy for him. Why should I? Hes worth £7-8billion. But he can only eat steak and chips twice a day, same as me. When he goes to his grave, his shroud wont have any pockets in it.

The Government has said it will allow the club to be sold despite the sanctions on Abramovich. Potential bidders who want to expand Stamford Bridge will run into the same problem that the current owner has faced.

The brainchild of Bates during his time in charge, the Chelsea Pitch Owners group own the leasehold to Stamford Bridge and the club name, giving them the power of veto on any proposed venue move.

Bates is proud that he empowered the fans with an idea inspired by an enterprising Irishman he had heard about. The Irish are all over the world and they get sentimental about the "old sod". This guy bought four acres of land north of Dublin. Sold it off in square foot pieces. 100 quid each or whatever. Then he went around the world, saying have a piece of the old sod.

I thought what a bloody clever idea. Ill do the same with Chelsea. But the lawyer rang me up and said Ken if you do that youre trading in land. Youll probably get charged VAT. And youve got to pay registration.

So then I came up with the idea of forming a company, the Chelsea pitch owners. I gave them a 999-year lease on the pitch. And I made a rule no matter how many shares you own you only have one vote.

I also gave them the name Chelsea Football Club and I said you can only use that name if you play at Stamford Bridge. So the fans own the name and the pitch. Stamford Bridge is probably the most valuable piece of land in London. But it belongs to the club. Thats my legacy. 
 

With no apologies for not providing a link to that f**king rag.

If there is more than one deal on the table don't think it will be Saudi money as the thing with Russia has shown in politics things can change quickly.

For you that follow US politics a few years back there was a push for 9/11 investigation over pages redacted over what was claimed to be Saudi links.

It was stopped yet not before a lot of media noise.

It may be a tenuous link to say the least yet a number of the hijackers were Saudis and after WMDs in Iraq who knows what is around the corner. 

 

 

51 minutes ago, Zola said:

UK loves that Saudi oil though. We are a walking contradiction. 

true. We need to wean ourselves off oil and the Russia/Ukraine tragedy is another reminder. A green Marshall plan. Some encouraging signs on this front this week. Will take time though and probably requires a short term ramp up in production of all the dirty stuff…

btw my original post should have said “unfinished/semifinished products” not “profits”. And “toeing the line” not “towing”. Yes I’m a bit pedantic:)

I’m sure the whole thing is so much more complex than I imagine but I don’t understand why it’s taking so long for a deal to be agreed. It sounds like Roman has agreed to sell - so pick a deal and get on with it. The deadline for bids has apparently been delayed by 2 days now to the 17th March. The longer it goes on, the more the risk. 
 

They’re going to know who’s bidding by now so get a move on. 
 

As I said, I’m sure it’s way more complex than that. 

3 hours ago, JM7 said:

While Chelsea and Newcastle are getting pelters for their owners, City largely remain criticism free. No-one is critising their owners despite clear links to the Yemen war. So hypocritical. Their chairman is the deputy prime minister of UAE. Even Gary Neville was talking recently about how wonderful City’s owners are. 
 

Seems the media pick and choose. 

When we have Saudi owners then they will start to be critical just wait 

2 hours ago, Munkworth said:

Can Boris sanction himself and his mate please.

Boris probably can’t dress himself never mind sanctions 😂

2 hours ago, Upsetter said:

Cuddly Ken in the Daily Fail (copied from another site, in case you’re wondering)

'The fact that you can't buy a match programme must mean that Putin is s****** himself': Former Chelsea owner Ken Bates slams sanctions imposed on the club as he claims 'it is the ordinary people who are suffering'

Ken Bates has never been one to mince words and the former Chelsea owner is forthright in his condemnation of the Government sanctions imposed on the club.

While the outspoken former football executive agrees with the decision to freeze the most famous of Roman Abramovichs assets, Bates is furious that Chelsea fans and staff have been forced to suffer too, with tickets sales frozen, club facilities shut and jobs said to be at risk.

He cannot fathom what meaningful impact such measures could exert on Vladimir Putin and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The fact that you cant buy a Chelsea match programme must mean that Putin is s*****g himself and all the ordinary people of Moscow are hiding in their cellars because they cant see a Chelsea match on TV, Bates said, speaking from his home in Monte Carlo.

As usual it is the ordinary people who are suffering. Youve probably got people working at Chelsea saying do they have a job? What is their future? Do they have security? And fans at Chelsea. What have they got to do with Putin bombing maternity hospitals in Ukraine?

Instead weve got all these regulations, which just get some good headlines. "England takes firm action against Russia." If we are trying to help Ukraine we should be doing things that are meaningful.

Bates famously bought Chelsea for a £1 in 1982 before selling to Abramovich 19 years later in a deal reported to be worth around £140million.

Instead weve got all these regulations, which just get some good headlines. "England takes firm action against Russia." If we are trying to help Ukraine we should be doing things that are meaningful.

Bates famously bought Chelsea for a £1 in 1982 before selling to Abramovich 19 years later in a deal reported to be worth around £140million.

Abramovich had grown rich after acquiring state-owned assets following the break-up of the Soviet Union and was close to Putin, then serving his first term as president, but the source of his wealth was scarcely investigated in the UK at the time.

Selling it to a Russian was the same as selling to anybody else, Bates says. It was no different in those days. The dealings I had with him were always straightforward and simple.

What is his response to the oligarchs asset-freeze? I dont feel sympathy for him. Why should I? Hes worth £7-8billion. But he can only eat steak and chips twice a day, same as me. When he goes to his grave, his shroud wont have any pockets in it.

The Government has said it will allow the club to be sold despite the sanctions on Abramovich. Potential bidders who want to expand Stamford Bridge will run into the same problem that the current owner has faced.

The brainchild of Bates during his time in charge, the Chelsea Pitch Owners group own the leasehold to Stamford Bridge and the club name, giving them the power of veto on any proposed venue move.

Bates is proud that he empowered the fans with an idea inspired by an enterprising Irishman he had heard about. The Irish are all over the world and they get sentimental about the "old sod". This guy bought four acres of land north of Dublin. Sold it off in square foot pieces. 100 quid each or whatever. Then he went around the world, saying have a piece of the old sod.

I thought what a bloody clever idea. Ill do the same with Chelsea. But the lawyer rang me up and said Ken if you do that youre trading in land. Youll probably get charged VAT. And youve got to pay registration.

So then I came up with the idea of forming a company, the Chelsea pitch owners. I gave them a 999-year lease on the pitch. And I made a rule no matter how many shares you own you only have one vote.

I also gave them the name Chelsea Football Club and I said you can only use that name if you play at Stamford Bridge. So the fans own the name and the pitch. Stamford Bridge is probably the most valuable piece of land in London. But it belongs to the club. Thats my legacy. 

With no apologies for not providing a link to that f**king rag.

The bloke doesn't mean mince his words, but I love him even for his flaws.

Bates should put in a cheeky bid to buy the club 😛

Edited March 13, 20224 yr by Jezz

From Sky:

Nick Candy pledges to give fans board seat if Chelsea bid triumphs

https://news.sky.com/story/nick-candy-pledges-to-give-fans-board-seat-if-chelsea-bid-triumphs-12564993

Read the headline of this article and then read the actual article. 
 

Talk about click bait but any one even remotely going into this area really needs to report what the situation is elsewhere to get perspective 

A rather amusing take on the whole imbroglio

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/mar/13/putin-tied-boris-johnson-up-in-his-own-trousers

The consortium thing puts me off a bit, too many cooks and all that.

But at this point I don’t we can be too fussy.

If it is the government making the decision then it will likely be the highest bidder so they can take the credit for skimming off the most funds to support Ukrainian refugees.

Do we know who makes the decision on ownership, I'm assuming RA is removed from this.

 

2 minutes ago, strider6004 said:

If it is the government making the decision then it will likely be the highest bidder so they can take the credit for skimming off the most funds to support Ukrainian refugees.

Do we know who makes the decision on ownership, I'm assuming RA is removed from this.

 

Yeah I think Roman/the club can still make a decision

4 minutes ago, strider6004 said:

If it is the government making the decision then it will likely be the highest bidder so they can take the credit for skimming off the most funds to support Ukrainian refugees.

Do we know who makes the decision on ownership, I'm assuming RA is removed from this.

 

Isn’t it ironic that if a sale goes through and that money would go to the Ukraine, a football club would have contributed more than the government 😂

We have been very charitable on the pitch to opponents but that would take charity fc to another level 

Edited March 13, 20224 yr by azpi28