Roman Abramovich has broken his three-year silence since selling Chelsea Football Club, expressing his wish to return to Stamford Bridge for a "proper goodbye" to supporters.
The Russian billionaire, who was forced to sell the club in 2022 following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, has given his first interview since the controversial sale.
Speaking to author Nick Purewal for a new book titled 'Sanctioned: The Inside Story of the Sale of Chelsea FC', Abramovich revealed: "Perhaps one day there would be a situation where I could attend a match and say a proper goodbye, but nothing more than that."
The 58-year-old has remained out of public view since UK government sanctions forced the sale of his beloved Blues.
Roman Abramovich has broken his three-year silence since selling Chelsea Football Club, expressing his wish to return to Stamford Bridge for a "proper goodbye" to supporters
PA
Abramovich announced his decision to sell Chelsea in March 2022 amid allegations of ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin. The UK government imposed sanctions on him later that month.
The sale to the Todd Boehly-Clearlake Capital consortium was completed in May 2022 for £2.5 billion.
The proceeds were placed in a frozen UK bank account, earmarked for donation to charities supporting victims of the war in Ukraine.
Abramovich had purchased Chelsea for £140 million in 2003, transforming the club into a trophy-winning powerhouse during his 19-year ownership.
JUST IN: BBC viewers issue complaint over Emma Raducanu coverage in her first match since French Open exit
Todd Boehly's consortium purchased Chelsea back in 2022
PA
The new book reveals Abramovich's previously unknown role in peace negotiations following the invasion.
According to the publication, he worked "secretly and tirelessly" in peace talks from the very beginning of the conflict.
Remarkably, Abramovich continued his diplomatic efforts even after being poisoned in a Kyiv apartment, returning to negotiations the following day.
READ MORE: Rio Ferdinand, 46, lands new job abroad just days after TNT Sports exit
The book portrays the oligarch as deeply committed to finding a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
These revelations offer a different perspective on Abramovich's activities during the tumultuous period that led to his departure from English football and the loss of the club he had nurtured for nearly two decades.
Abramovich firmly ruled out any future involvement in football ownership.
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
"I don't have any interest in any role in a football club, certainly not a professional role," he said.
He suggested he might consider helping with youth academies to provide 'greater opportunities to people from difficult backgrounds' but emphasised: "As for ownership or a professional role at a club, I am done with that in this lifetime."
Addressing ongoing accusations against him, including from the UK government, Abramovich quoted a Russian proverb: "The dogs bark but the caravan keeps moving."
Roman Abramovich was a popular owner during his time at Chelsea
PA
He added: "Whatever I do, people will always accuse me of some kind of agenda. In the end, I have done what I have done simply to try to help."
Chelsea won five Premier League titles during Abramovich's spell as owner.
They also won the Champions League in 2012 and 2021, with the Blues beating Bayern Munich and Manchester City in those respective finals.
Most Read
