Premier League says CEO Richard Masters Roman Abramovich has made the “right decision” in the installation Chelsea for sale and said that the change of ownership can happen in just 10 days.
Masters said the Russian-Israeli billionaire’s ownership of Stamford Bridge was “unsustainable” as a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
He confirmed that there will be a demonstration of support for Ukraine in the Premier League matches this weekend and that deals for broadcasting in Russia are “under review”.
The Masters also confirmed that the human rights element in the test of the owners and directors of English football is being considered with the Premier League in consultation with Amnesty International.
Abramovich, who has owned Chelsea since 2003, has confirmed that he is putting the club up for sale in a statement Wednesday night with a asking price of £ 3 billion.
Asked how quickly Chelsea could be sold, the Masters told the Financial Times Business of Football Summit in London: “I think the fastest moment we’ve made is 10 days, but that doesn’t mean the record can’t be broken. .
“It will usually take a few weeks, but it will depend on the complexity of the deal and the number of potential owners.
“Provided that the information is easy to digest, easy to understand and gives us the right answers, this can be done relatively quickly.
Premier League chief executive Richard Masters believes Roman Abramovich (above) made the “right decision” to put Chelsea up for sale
Masters said the change of ownership of the blues could take only 10 days
Abramovich, who has owned Chelsea since 2003, has confirmed that he is putting the club up for sale in a statement Wednesday night amid potential UK government sanctions against him.
“This is the right decision, the situation has escalated incredibly fast over the last seven days and he has come to the right conclusion that it is unsustainable in the current environment,” he added.
“It’s a welcome decision and obviously on behalf of everyone, including the fans, the sooner the sale process is over and complete, the sooner everyone will have security.”
Okko Sport are the current broadcasters of the Premier League in Russia, but the rights return to Match TV from next season.
But Masters said: “Broadcasting rights in Russia are being reviewed.
The Premier League has also confirmed that television broadcasting rights in Russia are being reviewed
There will be a demonstration of support for Ukraine in the Premier League matches this weekend
Masters also confirmed a new human rights component in the test of their owners and directors
“I would like the Russian people to see the strength of their feelings in the Premier League and English football this weekend, but we will look at them very carefully in terms of suspension or termination given the current circumstances.
“It’s happening right now, we’re thinking about it, it’s a fast-paced situation.”
Asked about ongoing sanctions against Russian athletes and teams from around the world and what needs to happen to get back on board, Masters said: “I’m not a politician, but the only thing that can affect that is [Vladimir] Putin has somehow been removed from his role and replaced by someone else.
“It simply came to our notice then. As long as there is a war, it is unsustainable and sport and Russia cannot mix.
The Masters confirmed that the Premier League is considering adding a human rights component to the test of its owners and directors.
He added: “We have had some very useful talks with Amnesty International about such things.
“We are not yet ready to say how it will change, because this should be a test for football – we, the FA and the EFL, agree on what this test should be, how it is applied and how it is communicated to the fans.”
Abramovich has also set a deadline of Friday for stakeholders to submit “indicative offers” for the club he has owned for most of the two decades.
But The Guardian claims that once the sale is complete, current Blues managing director Marina Granovskaya and chairman Bruce Buck are unlikely to remain under the new ownership.
Chelsea President Bruce Buck (left) and Managing Director Marina Granovskaya (right) are not expected to remain under new ownership
Buck was at the heart of Abramovich’s era at Stamford Bridge, joining the club in his current role in March 2004.
A high-profile lawyer who founded Chelsea’s former players fund, Buck was one of six trustees who gained temporary control of the club after Abramovich’s first statement last Saturday.
However, Chelsea have rejected their plan to transfer the club’s management to the charity following Abramovich’s statement on Wednesday, making the management of the club’s trustees no longer necessary.
Meanwhile, Russian CEO Granovskaya took over as director of Chelsea in 2013.
Her relationship with Abramovich dates far beyond her nine years at Chelsea.
She is one of Abramovich’s most trusted confidants and was the one who ran the London club while he was away.
Granovskaya, a Russian and Canadian citizen, worked as Abramovich’s personal assistant at his oil company Sibneft in 1997.
Buck was the mainstay of Abramovich’s rule at Stamford Bridge, joining in March 2004.
She was brought to London in 2003 when Abramovich bought Chelsea and took a position on the board a decade later, with the Times declaring her “the most powerful woman in football”.
Telegraph claims countries that are interested in buying Chelsea recognize her value in football and that if she is allowed to leave, it could be a significant loss for the club.
Those groups that are interested in buying the club from Abramovich are therefore open to keeping Granovskaya under their ownership, the report added.
Chef Thomas Tuchel and presentation adviser Petr Cech also have a close working relationship with her.
Granovskaya is the chief negotiator for new players and contract renewals, and although she was praised for her role in persuading veteran defender Thiago Silva to join, her attention was drawn to the negotiating table for the sale of Eden Hazard.
Forbes ranked her overall fifth in 2018 in its list of “Strongest Women in International Sports”.
In addition, Granovskaya’s work was recognized worldwide when she received the award for best club director in European football in December.
Granovskaya (left) has long been a close confidant of Abramovich, even before Chelsea
The Russian-Canadian director has been described as stubborn in the negotiations