Abramovich's lawyers say he will fight any UK attempt to seize Chelsea sale money

LONDON, March 9 - Lawyers for Russian businessman Roman Abramovich warned the British government on Monday that he would fight any attempt to seize the 2.5 billion pounds ($3.34 billion) from the sale of Chelsea soccer club, saying the money belongs to him. Read more at straitstimes.com.

LONDON, March 9 - Lawyers for Russian businessman Roman Abramovich warned the British government on Monday that he would fight any attempt to seize the 2.5 billion pounds ($3.34 billion) from the sale of Chelsea soccer club, saying the money belongs to him.

The British government sanctioned Abramovich in a crackdown on Russian oligarchs following Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, triggering a rushed sale of the Premier League club in 2022.

Almost four years later, the money remains frozen in a British bank account because of a dispute over how the money would be used. The British government warned Abramovich last year he must release the cash, or he could be taken to court.

Abramovich's lawyers at Kobre & Kim said the money from the sale remains "wholly owned" by their client and accused the government of "politically charged and highly publicised statements" on him.

They said Abramovich remains fully committed to using the money for charitable purposes and the government's restrictions on how it can be spent were to blame for the delay.

"The UK government appears to be treating this proposed donation as a form of punitive measure against Mr Abramovich," the lawyers said in the letter, seen by Reuters.