Three have sponsored Chelsea since January 2020
Chelsea's main sponsors Three have stated that they are reviewing their deal with the Blues after the UK Government’s decision to sanction Russian owner Roman Abramovich.
The telecommunications company have been Chelsea's official shirt partner since January 2020, with their logo appearing on the front of all Chelsea shirts - including the Women’s team and Academy sides - from the start of the 2020/21 campaign.
Abramovich's assets were
frozen on Thursday after he was sanctioned by the government as a result of his close ties to Russian president Vladimir Putin.
He is one of several high-profile Russians with interests in the UK who have been named in a government report and will have all of their assets frozen.
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A spokesperson for Three told the
i newspaper: "We are reviewing the situation and are in discussions with Chelsea FC."
It is understood that the sale of the club can still go ahead, but the club will be restricted in many other areas.
Although Chelsea have been given a special license which allows them to continue playing matches and paying staff, the Blues will
not be able to sell tickets to home or away fans and are banned from signing new players under the terms of the sanctions.
The London outfit are prevented from selling merchandise, or spending money on developing or refurbishing Stamford Bridge or the Cobham training ground.
The 'Russia Regulations' license also
prohibits the Blues from spending more than £20,000 on any away game travel, which, as explained by experienced player liaison officer Hugo Scheckter, could prove difficult for the club.
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Scheckter said that for a regular domestic away game, the logistics usually total £30k. An away trip to Europe will obviously cost more, meaning that to facilitate an away trip in the Champions League, the club will have to make significant cost cutting measures with regard to travel and accommodation.
