13 minutes ago, LongtimerLurker said:

I'm backing Todd, one of the main criteria for a successful bid was a history of running an already successful franchise. I'm not a baseball expert, but from the sounds of things him and his people are doing a good job with the dodgers. 

 

Have to agree.

The sale of Chelsea has hit a serious obstacle over fears that Russian-born owner Roman Abramovich is attempting to renege on his promise to write off a £1.6 billion debt.

It is understood that Chelsea told the government — as well as the rival bidding groups — last week that they want to restructure the way the club is being sold, which would include paying off the debt from Chelsea’s parent company Fordstam Ltd to a Jersey-based company Camberley International Investments, which appears to be linked to Abramovich.

 

OMG!!!! Whatever next?

This whole debacle is getting beyond a joke.

Cool. Administration it is then.

If true then he probably used the writing off debts as a red herring to move the sale forward. 

Fulham are coming back so is it them or Brentford next season lads?

I find it hard to believe. I call bullsh*t

Some commentary from Rob Draper here:

If Roman Abramovich now wants his £1.6bn loan paid back as @TimesSport is reporting, then Chelsea have a huge existential problem

UK Govt have always insisted this can’t/won’t happen

Clock is ticking on May 31st deadline but it’s more serious than a complex delay….
 

The Premier League meet on June 8th to constitute the new league for 22-23. If Chelsea aren’t licensed to operate by then - and they are only licensed now on UK Govt sufferance - then they can’t be part of PL. Simples…..

Where that would leave Chelsea is a moot point? All along there has been this nagging doubt: if Abramovich does Putin’s bidding, then is Putin about to allow £2.5bn worth of Russian assets to go to UK Gov? And end up in hands of US private equity?
 

If Abramovich thinks UK Govt will blink because they don’t want to see Chelsea fold/go into administration, then he’s gambling hugely on Govt’s malleability. (A good bet, you might say). But be in no doubt, if he wants debts repaid, Chelsea future is at stake with clock ticking

An aside: 

Intriguing how last-minute Ratcliffe bid mimicked the Abramovich’s language 

Ratcliffe wants proceeds to go to ‘Charitable Trust to support victims of the war’

Abramovich initially wanted to set up foundation ‘for the benefit of all victims of the war in Ukraine’

Almost as tho bid was tailor-made to be what Abramovich wanted

And yet all along it’s been clear neither Roman, not Ratcliffe get to decide where that money goes. It’s for UK Govt to decide. IF Roman agrees to sale. Right now, that’s a sizeable IF…

Imagine if it came down to May 30th and there was genuine chance Chelsea could fold but somehow a Ratcliffe bid could save the day if only the UK Govt agreed to a let the proceeds to an independent charitable foundation? Well, that would be better than letting Chelsea fold…

And who could object, if this war comes to a close and politics changes, to Roman Abramovich being trustee of that foundation? That way we could see Roman as the true humanitarian he is, rather than the sanctioned Putin crony who gained his wealth ‘easy to rig auction’*

Is Roman playing some games here? Is there some politics to all of this? The above commentary is interesting 

Todd Boehly remains on track to complete the purchase of Chelsea, despite an effort by Sir Jim Ratcliffe to position himself to pounce if the American’s deal meets an 11th-hour hitch.

- @Matt_Law_DT

WTF is going on with this club,every bloody day there is something Sh*tty to read,god the media love sticking the knife in.

6 minutes ago, JM7 said:

Is Roman playing some games here? Is there some politics to all of this? The above commentary is interesting 

Yup sounds like being booted our by the PL is possible.

I think I understand it that Roman doesn’t want the proceeds being handled/controlled/sent by the UK Govt and he wants to decide. He is arguing that the current sanctions prevent him from doing that    . Is it a way to put pressure on the govt?

The whole Radcliffe bid feels abit convenient timing. 

This is Ratcliffe related IMO

All the timings are too ironic.  

 

1. Statement from ineos that theyve bid, same day we get the Boehly news

2. Ratcliffe bypasses Raine, would fly through due dilligence with UK Govt as he owns businesses here, is British and has links inside Govt

3. Has spoken to Buck, the UK Govt. (and now CST) and ill bet the structure of Ratcliffe's bid sits very well with Roman,  and wouldnt shock me if they've privately sorted some way of repaying his debt, either in the sale, or post sanctions

1 hour ago, charierre said:

 

If he wants his money back then why should he not ask for it?

He does not want to sell the club, he is being forced to do so, with with Cheek of the government getting him to add more money to the club that he could not have back either.

Is theft plain and simple. I dont blame Roman if he decided to do this.

Just now, axman2526 said:

If he wants his money back then why should he not ask for it?

He does not want to sell the club, he is being forced to do so, with with Cheek of the government getting him to add more money to the club that he could not have back either.

Is theft plain and simple. I dont blame Roman if he decided to do this.

Absolutely, i think the fact Roman DOES NOT want to sell us in the first place, is being missed.  He is f**king fuming at our Govt i bet

8 minutes ago, JM7 said:

Todd Boehly remains on track to complete the purchase of Chelsea, despite an effort by Sir Jim Ratcliffe to position himself to pounce if the American’s deal meets an 11th-hour hitch.

- @Matt_Law_DT

I like Matt Law, but im willing to bet even if someone else buys us and does all the Chelsea media stuff, announcement etc, he'd still have Boehly's group as favourites lol

 

1 minute ago, RickUK said:

This is Ratcliffe related IMO

All the timings are too ironic.  

 

1. Statement from ineos that theyve bid, same day we get the Boehly news

2. Ratcliffe bypasses Raine, would fly through due dilligence with UK Govt as he owns businesses here, is British and has links inside Govt

3. Has spoken to Buck, the UK Govt. (and now CST) and ill bet the structure of Ratcliffe's bid sits very well with Roman,  and wouldnt shock me if they've privately sorted some way of repaying his debt, either in the sale, or post sanctions

Looking at it now it does seem like a very Roman esc statement.

Just now, axman2526 said:

Looking at it now it does seem like a very Roman esc statement.

The Rob Draper points in the thread above also make the same assumptions kind of. 

There is no other reason for Ratcliffe to bid so late, unless he was encouraged to do so.  And the bid was made after talking to Buck and the Govt. we are told.    

11 minutes ago, RickUK said:

I like Matt Law, but im willing to bet even if someone else buys us and does all the Chelsea media stuff, announcement etc, he'd still have Boehly's group as favourites lol

 

Maybe Roman has decided against the other bidders, including BWG already.

2 hours ago, LongtimerLurker said:

I'm backing Todd, one of the main criteria for a successful bid was a history of running an already successful franchise. I'm not a baseball expert, but from the sounds of things him and his people are doing a good job with the dodgers. 

 

In an entirely different sporting and economic environment.

Owners of the last two Super Bowl winners:

2022 - Stan Kroenke

2021 - The Glazers

What a f**king sh*t show. 
 

Ken Bates to buy us for a quid for a second time?

1 minute ago, axman2526 said:

Maybe Roman has decided against the other bidders, including BWG already.

Well, Roman can still reject Raine's suggestion.  which is why even when Boehly was announced preferred bidder (although not by Raine publicly) i wasn't so sure it was done deal

It's the times, it's as likely to be true as Roman Abramovich turning out to be an Alien.