The Shadowy Russian Billionaire Being Forced Out At Chelsea
The Lead
Wondery
3.9 • 2.2K Ratings
🗓️ 8 March 2022
⏱️ 27 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Roman Abramovich endeared himself to Chelsea fans almost immediately when he purchased the club back in 2003. He quickly spent more money than any Premier League club owner in history, and the results on the field followed: league titles, Champions League victories, and many more trophies. But now, in the wake of Russia's war against Ukraine, questions and concerns about Abramovich, his past, and his ties to Vladimir Putin have resurfaced, and the Russian billionaire announced last week that he will be selling the team. The Athletic's Matt Slater joins us to explain what we know (and don't know) about Abramovich's ties to the Kremlin, what the sale of Chelsea means for the future of the club, and if all of this will lead to a day reckoning for the Premier League and the question of who should be allowed to buy a team.
More from Matt Slater:
https://theathletic.com/author/matt-slater/
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Transcript
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| 0:07.0 | Hi there, Wondry listeners. Hannah and Sruti here from TrueCram Podcast Redhanded. |
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| 0:31.0 | It's a weekly show where we deep dive into the most talked about cases like the Delphi murders |
| 0:35.0 | and also those you might never have heard of like the Nathari child sacrifices in Delhi. |
| 0:40.0 | Go listen to Redhanded right now on Amazon Music or wherever you get your podcasts. |
| 0:46.0 | As Russia's war on Ukraine continues, governments around the world have imposed sanctions |
| 0:57.0 | and begun seizing the assets of some Russian oligarchs. |
| 1:01.0 | The 280-foot yacht Amore Vero features multiple decks, has a swimming pool that turns into a helicopter pad |
| 1:08.0 | and boasts of master and VIP suites to accommodate up to 14 guests, |
| 1:12.0 | and it's just been seized by the French government. |
| 1:16.0 | And caught up in all of this is a very notable owner of an English Premier League team. |
| 1:20.0 | Bromovich putting Chelsea up for sale comes as he faces increasing calls to be sanctioned |
| 1:24.0 | due to his status as one of the wealthiest people in Russia and reported links to Vladimir Putin. |
| 1:30.0 | Today, the Athletics Mats later explains what we know and don't know about Roman Abramovich |
| 1:35.0 | and his ties to the Kremlin. |
| 1:37.0 | What his imminent sale Chelsea means for the club and if all of this means a day of reckoning for the Premier League. |
| 1:43.0 | From one degree in the athletic, I'm Anders Keltsov. |
| 1:46.0 | It's Tuesday, March 8th and this is the lead. |
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