Chelsea

Chelsea bidders 'can ask for licence to allow sale'

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 11 March 2022

Any potential bidder for Chelsea are invited to approach the government about discussing a deal, according to Digital and Technology Minister Chris Philp.

Digital and Technology Minister Chris Philp has said that any parties interested in buying Chelsea are invited to make contact with the government regarding a deal.

On Thursday, Chelsea were hit by an array of sanctions, preventing owner Roman Abramovich from generating funds from a sale due to his links with Russia president Vladimir Putin.

The initial belief was that Chelsea were effectively being taken off the market at a time when they were being prevented from using their revenue streams to make money.

However, Philp has revealed that the government are open to discussions with any interested party, reiterating that Abramovich can not benefit from any sale of the Premier League club.

Speaking to Sky News, Philp said: "If a buyer emerged then it would be open to that buyer or the to the football club to approach the government and ask for the licence conditions to be varied in a way that allowed that sale to take place they would be able to approach the government to make a proposal.

"To be clear, no proposal would be accepted which saw the money the proceeds from any sale ending in an unrestricted bank account owned by Abramovich. He can't benefit from the proceeds of any sale."

Chelsea have allegedly requested talks with the government as soon as possible as they look to avoid financial ruin.