Roman Abramovich released a statement on Saturday
Members of Chelsea’s charitable foundation are considering resigning following club owner Roman Abramovich’s statement announcing that he would ‘give stewardship and care’ of Chelsea to the group of six trustees.
As reported by the Telegraph, the Russian billionaire’s plan to hand over control of Chelsea could prove more difficult than initially thought, with at least two members of the organisation raising concerns amid suggestions they will be compromised.
On Saturday (February 26), Abramovich announced that he was handing over the stewardship and care of Chelsea to trustees of its charitable foundation, in a statement that has since been described as having ‘no legal meaning at all.’
Abramovich, Chelsea’s owner since 2003, said that he believed the trustees were in the best position to look after the club’s interests.
It is thought that talks will take place this week following a meeting on Sunday, with the report stating that the feeling within the club is that not all of the six trustees asked to run the club in Abramovich’s absence will remain in place.
Should any of the trustees stand down, Chelsea could chose to replace them, continue with the smaller group or completely change their plan, and as a result, find a different model for the running of the club in the Russian’s absence.
While the situation is ongoing and somewhat unclear, chairman Bruce Buck – who is one of the trustees – and other department leaders will be responsible for the day-to-day control of the Blues.
Following the initial meeting on Sunday, lawyers have been working on proposals for how the structure could work with the trustees in charge. However, there is a view that, should they be placed in control of the club, they would not want to act or be seen as a front for Abramovich.
The charitable foundation, which is lead by Buck, also includes John Devine, a partner at the law firm Muckle LLP, club director of finance Paul Ramos, women’s head coach Emma Hayes, the executive director of anti-discrimination group Fare, Piara Powar and the chairman of the British Olympic Association, Sir Hugh Robertson.
The Telegraph add that Chelsea are adamant that any trustees who decide to stand down will not be met with hard feelings as a result.
The club’s charitable trust’s usual focus is centred on delivering schemes in grassroots football or events such as the International Holocaust Memorial Day Workshop. It is reported that there was ‘considerable surprise’ at Abramovich’s statement on Saturday.
Speaking after Sunday’s Carabao Cup final penalty shoot-out loss to Liverpool, first-team head coach Thomas Tuchel insisted that nothing would change in his role on a daily basis at Chelsea.
Abramovich is reportedly in Belarus to assist with talks attempting to broker a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine.
Related links:
- Roman Abramovich is assisting with Ukraine-Russia talks in Belarus
- Gary Neville slams ‘cowardly’ Roman Abramovich for Chelsea statement
- Chelsea FC put out 24-word statement on Ukraine conflict – it was an own goal
