The Russian billionaire is not selling the club but is
giving up any control for now after being targeted by figures, including
politicians, over his ownership. The foundation is chaired by Bruce Buck, who
is also chairman of the club. Chelsea director of finance Paul Ramos is also
among the trustees.
Abramovich, who has owned Chelsea since 2003, made no
mention of the war in his statement.
“I have always taken decisions with the Club’s best interest
at heart,” he said. “I remain committed to these values. That is why I am today
giving trustees of Chelsea’s charitable Foundation the stewardship and care of
Chelsea FC.
FIFA has yet to take a clear position on Russia hosting or
even playing against Poland.
European soccer body UEFA said Friday that in its
competitions all Russian and Ukrainian teams must now move their home games to
play in other countries.
A potential precedent for action is from 1992. Both FIFA and
UEFA removed Yugoslavia from their competitions following sanctions imposed by
the United Nations at the outbreak of war there.
Previously, Poland had only said it did not want to play the
qualifying playoff semifinal in Moscow.
The winner is due to host Sweden or the Czech Republic on
March 29 for a place at the World Cup being played in Qatar from Nov. 21-Dec.
18.
The head of Sweden’s federation, Karl-Erik Nilsson, is also
first vice president at UEFA which has stripped Russia of hosting the Champions
League final in St. Petersburg in May. UEFA decided Friday to move that game to
Paris.
Russian troops pressed toward Ukraine’s capital Saturday,
after a night of explosions and street fighting that sent Kyiv residents
seeking shelter underground.
It was not immediately clear how far Russian troops had
advanced. Ukrainian officials reported some success in fending off assaults,
but fighting persisted near the capital.
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