Chelsea Foundation files Charity Commission report following Abramovich statement
The trustees of the Chelsea Foundation are understood to have filed a report with the Charity Commission – in addition to seeking legal advice – after the club’s owner, Roman Abramovich, announced his intention to hand stewardship of Chelsea FC to the foundation.
Abramovich said he would be passing “stewardship” of the club to the foundation in a statement published last weekend.
Though the statement didn’t refer directly to the invasion of Ukraine conducted by forces led by Russian president Vladimir Putin, it is believed that the move was made in response to the UK government’s decision to impose sanctions on Russian oligarchs following the invasion.
Legal experts have warned the foundation about accepting a trusteeship role because it could potentially “compromise” the foundation’s position.
Now it is understood that the foundation has reported the development to the Charity Commission and is taking legal advice on the matter.
The trustees of the Chelsea Foundation include former Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom managing partner for Europe Bruce Buck (pictured, right), and John Devine (pictured, left), partner and head of the sports team at law firm Muckle LLP.