Roman Abramovich breaks silence as ex-Chelsea owner linked with shock football return

Roman Abramovich has been linked with a return to football with reports claiming the Russian billionaire and ex-Chelsea owner plans to buy a stake in Turkish side Galatasaray

A representative for former Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has addressed rumours connecting the Russian billionaire with a potential takeover of Turkish outfit Galatasaray.

Reports emerged earlier this week from Turkish publication Sozcu claiming that Abramovich was planning to become one of Galatasaray’s major shareholders. It was claimed he had purchased a property in the nation whilst making arrangements to relocate to Istanbul.

These claims have since been refuted, with 112.ua stating that he has no intentions of investing in any football club. A spokesperson for Abramovich told the new outlet that the reports are ‘not true’ and that he has no plans to return to football.

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The Russian tycoon controlled Chelsea from 2003 until 2022. During his tenure, the Blues secured the Premier League title on five occasions, lifted the FA Cup five times, claimed the League Cup three times and triumphed in the Champions League on two occasions.

He was forced to sell Chelsea following sanctions imposed by the UK Government in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. He finalised the sale of the club to a group headed by Todd Boehly for £4.25bn.

Abramovich’s rejection of links to Galatasaray aligns with the position he set out regarding a return to football earlier this year. In ‘Sanctioned: The Inside Story of the Sale of Chelsea FC ‘, the ex-Chelsea supremo stated: “I don’t have any interest in any role in a football club, certainly not a professional role.

“There might be something where I could help with academies and youngsters, giving greater opportunities to people from difficult backgrounds, if there were an initiative that could make a difference.

“But as for ownership or a professional role at a club, I am done with that in this lifetime.”

He did however express his desire to one day return to Stamford Bridge. “Perhaps one day there would be a situation where I could attend a match and say a proper goodbye, but nothing more than that.”

It has been reported that Abramovich has ‘turned his back on football’ and no longer goes to games after he was forced to sell Chelsea.

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