Roman Abramovich remained one of football’s most enigmatic figures for nearly two decades. The Russian was rarely seen, never heard. That silence is about to end.
In Sanctioned: The Inside Story of Chelsea FC’s Sale, set to be published this summer by Biteback Publishing, the former Chelsea owner speaks publicly for the first time since selling the club in 2022. The book, written by veteran journalist Nick Purewal, promises an unprecedented inside look at one of the most geopolitically charged transactions in sports history.
A club sold under pressure
Abramovich’s forced sale of Chelsea came just weeks after Russia invaded Ukraine. Sanctioned by the UK government due to alleged ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin, Abramovich had no choice but to part with the club he purchased in 2003 for around $174 million. Chelsea was sold for approximately $3.1 billion to the American consortium led by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, though those funds remain frozen, caught in the complex machinery of international politics.
According to Purewal, the deal came together in just 95 days, a rapid, high-stakes negotiation driven by mounting global pressure and the threat of financial collapse at Stamford Bridge. Through over 50 interviews, including a rare two-part conversation with Abramovich himself, Sanctioned reconstructs the whirlwind behind the scenes.
The book also delves into lesser-known aspects of that period: Abramovich’s role in early peace efforts between Ukraine and Russia, suspicions of a poisoning attempt, and the looming specter of Cold War-era politics enveloping English football.
During his tenure, Abramovich oversaw Chelsea’s most successful era, guiding the club to two Champions League titles, five Premier League championships, and global prestige. But his influence extended beyond trophies. He led Chelsea’s campaign against antisemitism, introduced educational programs, and supported the creation of a permanent mural honoring Jewish players lost in the Holocaust. It was a legacy of both controversy and conviction.
Since the sale, Chelsea has struggled to replicate its former dominance. The club has cycled through managers and invested heavily in youth, but silverware has eluded them. This season may offer a turning point, as the team pushes to return to the Champions League under new leadership.
In Sanctioned, Abramovich finally addresses the questions that have lingered since 2022. Why did he stay silent? What happened during those 95 days? And how does he view his legacy at a club he once transformed into a footballing superpower?
The answers arrive this summer.
