'It was always about Chelsea' - Roman Abramovich still refusing to attend football games after being forced to sell Blues due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine

The European Union and British Government imposed restrictions on Abramovich in 2022, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The move led to the billionaire sanctioning the £2.35 billion ($2.87bn) sale of Chelsea to Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital. More than two years on, the funds raised from the transaction remain untouched in a frozen bank account in London.

While severing ties with the Blues, Abramovich had declared “I hope that I will be able to visit Stamford Bridge one last time to say goodbye to all of you in person”, but that would appear to have become a distant dream for the 58-year-old. The Sun reports that the businessman has reportedly turned his back on football after parting company with the west London side as he no longer attends matches anywhere in the world.

A close friend of Abramovich told The Sun: "Roman still likes football. But he doesn't go to games any more. It was always about Chelsea." Some £2.5bn of the sale price earmarked for victims of the war remains stuck in an escrow account.

Enzo Maresca's current Chelsea side will be back in action in the Premier League after the international break as they are scheduled to face Tottenham Hotspur at home on April 3.