The Premier League side, Chelsea’s club credit cards have been temporarily suspended by Barclays in the wake of Roman Abramovich being sanctioned by the UK government.
Chelsea employees who have corporate credit cards are unable to use them at the moment. It was reported earlier that the club’s Barclays bank account had been frozen.
This comes after the UK government on Thursday gave Chelsea a licence to continue with football-related activities after Abramovich had “his assets frozen, a prohibition on transactions with UK individuals and businesses, a travel ban and transport sanctions” imposed on him.
The sanctions are intended to stop the 55-year-old from making any money in the UK, but the government has granted Chelsea a special licence to allow fixtures to be fulfilled, staff to be paid and existing ticket holders to attend matches.
What is the latest with Chelsea’s sponsors?
Chelsea’s shirt sponsor Three, the mobile phone and telecommunications company, says it has suspended its relationship with the club after the government announced sanctions on Abramovich.
“In light of the government’s recently announced sanctions, we have requested Chelsea Football Club temporarily suspend our sponsorship of the club, including the removal of our brand from shirts and around the stadium until further notice, said Three spokesperson.
“We recognise that this decision will impact the many Chelsea fans who follow their team passionately. However, we feel that given the circumstances, and the government sanction that is in place, it is the right thing to do.
“As a mobile network, the best way we can support the people of Ukraine is to ensure refugees arriving in the UK from the conflict and customers currently in Ukraine can stay connected to the people who matter to them. Therefore, we are offering connectivity packages to all Ukrainians arriving in the UK, and those in Ukraine.”
Fellow sponsor Zapp has also paused its activities with the club.
A spokesperson said: “Given the ongoing uncertainty related to the ownership situation of Chelsea F.C., our marketing activities with the club have been paused.
“In the meantime, we trust that the UK government and Chelsea F.C. can find a solution that is in the interests of football fans and the local community as soon as possible.”
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