Chelsea director Eugene Tenenbaum another club member to be sanctioned
The UK sanctioned Chelsea director Eugene Tenenbaum in an attempt to freeze assets linked to Russian owner Roman Abramovich, who was sanctioned in March.
Earlier in March, the UK sanctioned Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich due to his ties to Russian president Vladimir Putin and the invasion on Ukraine. Now, the government has imposed new sanctions on Chelsea director Eugene Tenenbaum in an attempt to freeze 10 billion pounds of assets linked to Abramovich.
The sanctions extend to Tanenbaum as well as one of Abramovich’s close associates, David Davidovich. Corporate filings show that Tenenbaum took hold of an Abramovich-linked investment company in February, following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and Davidovich took over in March.
The Foreign Office said it is freezing assets “connected with the pair to total up to £10bn - the largest asset freeze in UK history”. The two will have their assets frozen and be subject to transport sanctions - any means of transportation, including ship or aircraft, owned by them is subject to be detainment if they enter the UK.
“We are tightening the ratchet on Putin’s war machine and targeting the circle of people closest to the Kremlin,” said foreign secretary Liz Truss. “We will keep going with sanctions until Putin fails in Ukraine. Nothing and no one is off the table.”
Tuchel not distracted by new sanctions
Chelsea coach Thomas Tuchel is not concerned about the impact these new sanctions will have on the team.
“I don’t know the implications and what it means for the club right now,” said Tuchel. “Right now, it’s not a further distraction. It’s just one more, just one more of the same kind.”
There are three possible buyers for the English club since it’s been up for sale after the Ricketts family withdrew - Todd Boehly, a billionaire and partial owner of the LA Dodgers baseball team, Sir Martin Broughton, a British businessman, and Stephen Pagluica, co-owner of the Boston Celtics.
“It is still a process,” said Tuchel. “I heard talks are still ongoing with the government. I am still not involved, which I am glad about because we have a lot to focus on here.”
Chelsea will play Crystal Palace in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley stadium on Sunday at 11:30 a.m. ET.