Chelsea are reportedly keen to hold urgent discussions with the British government amid the sanctions which have been imposed on the club.
On Thursday morning, the Premier League giants were rocked after it emerged that the assets of Roman Abramovich had been frozen with immediate effect, Chelsea requiring a special licence in order to fulfil their fixtures.
Chelsea have also had all of their important revenue streams blocked, including closure of the club shop and tickets unable to be sold for the foreseeable future.
Ahead of the summer transfer window, Chelsea also face the prospect of being unable to buy or sell players at a time when Abramovich must allegedly meet certain government criteria for a sale to go through.
In essence, Chelsea face the real prospect of financial ruin unless a resolution is found, with The Times reporting that club officials have requested talks with government officials as soon as possible.
Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries said on Thursday that the government were committed to protecting Chelsea given its status as "a cultural asset".
To end a chaotic day, Chelsea will meet Norwich City in the Premier League on Thursday evening.
Darren Plant
