Chelsea Football Club owner Roman Abramovich has been sanctioned by the government for his links to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The move freezes the 55-year-old billionaire’s planned sale of Chelsea.

The Stamford Bridge club will be given a special licence to continue operation, but under limited terms.

Here is what it will mean for Chelsea fans.

Special licence issued

The move throws Chelsea’s long-term future into doubt, though government ministers have insisted any damage will be limited.

Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries said a special licence will be issued that would mean:

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Existing ticket holders only

Chelsea cannot sell any new tickets to supporters, but all tickets sold before 10 March will be honoured.

Season ticket holders will still be allowed to attend matches and refreshments will be served at Stamford Bridge.

It is unclear how this affects away supporters wanting to buy tickets for games at Stamford Bridge after 10 March.

Matches will be broadcast

Chelsea matches will still be broadcast and the club can continue to receive broadcast revenues.

Supporters will still be able to buy merchandise from third parties who have existing stock, but will not be able to buy it directly from the club.

Transfer ban

The club is subject to a transfer ban and has been blocked from negotiating new contracts with current players.

Defenders Cesar Azpilicueta, Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen will be out of contract at the end of the season, leaving the trio in limbo.

Travel to and from games

The club will be able to pay for “reasonable costs of travel” to and from games, but only up to an amount “not exceeding the value of £20,000 per game”.

The limitation could make longer trips abroad difficult, particularly if the club advances through the Champions League.

Club can pay players and staff

The club will still be allowed to pay the wages of its players and coaching staff.

It will also be able to pay for the costs necessary for hosting fixtures at its home ground, including security, catering and stewarding, up to £500,000.

The club will not be able to spend any money on new works or refurbishments.

Sale could still go through

Although the sale of the club has been stalled, it could go through if the government issues another licence.

A government source said the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) was open to working with the club on a new licence that would enable the sale to take place on a number of conditions, including the fact none of the proceeds would go to Abramovich.

The Russian-Israeli billionaire had pledged to donate all funds from a Chelsea sale to a new foundation to benefit the victims of Russia’s war with Ukraine.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s deputy spokesperson said: “It’s fair to say that the government is open to the sale of the club but, as has been said, that would require another licence and that would require further conversation with the Treasury and other departments”

“The important point is that in no way could it benefit Roman Abramovich or find its way back to Russia”

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