Abramovich hopes for 'proper goodbye'

Former Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich says he wants to return to Stamford Bridge for "a proper goodbye", in his first interview since sanctions forced him to sell the club in 2022.

The oligarch, who the UK Government allege has strong links to Russian president Vladimir Putin, has not spoken since the sale of Chelsea and his last known interview was with Forbes in March 2021.

In an interview in Abu Dhabi in February for the book "Sanctioned" by Nick Purewal, Abramovich ruled out re-investing in Chelsea or, indeed, any other football club.

But he said he wants to return to Stamford Bridge someday.

"Perhaps one day there would be a situation where I could attend a match and say a proper goodbye, but nothing more than that," he is quoted as saying.

He added: "I don't have any interest in any role in a football club, certainly not a professional role."

Abramovich also says he still wants a resolution to the war in Ukraine, insisting his efforts to act as a peacekeeper in talks in Turkey in 2022 were genuine.

This is the first time he has spoken since he sold Chelsea for £2.5bn to Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, who have overseen two underwhelming years before finishing fourth this season to qualify for the Champions League and winning the Conference League.

Boehly, who also part-owns successful baseball franchise the LA Dodgers and basketball team the LA Lakers, said in the book: "If you look at our ambitions for the Dodgers and for the Lakers, you're here to win, and it's our business to win; and we're doing everything we can do to win.

"Our goal with Chelsea is also to win silverware, because we know, and I know, how much it means to the fans. It makes you appreciate again that sport makes people happy, especially when you win. And Chelsea is supposed to win.

"But I really believe that sustained success is an investment, and no matter what business I'm in, or any industry, there are no shortcuts."

Meanwhile, Abramovich's comments have emerged just a week after the UK government threatened to sue him, with proceeds from the sale of the club still stuck in a frozen bank account.

The UK government wants the money to be for Ukrainian humanitarian aid, but "all victims of the war in Ukraine".

Chelsea are also under investigation by the Premier League for alleged irregular payments from Abramovich-era transfer activity.