Prospective Chelsea owners have been told to have bids for the club on the table by Friday.
Roman Abramovich is keen on a quick sale of the club he’s owned for the last nineteen years, due to impending sanctions from the UK government.
Abramovich, who has long-standing close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin, has released a statement on the official club channels this evening.
In it, the Russian oligarch has said all net proceeds from the sale will be donated to a foundation, setup to benefit the 'victims of the war in Ukraine'.
With the government in Russia cracking down on media organisations who refer to the invasion as a 'war', the statement is significant, without outright denouncing the war.
The statement, posted on Chelsea's website reads in full.
"I would like to address the speculation in media over the past few days in relation to my ownership of Chelsea FC.
"As I have stated before, I have always taken decisions with the Club’s best interest at heart.
"In the current situation, I have therefore taken the decision to sell the Club, as I believe this is in the best interest of the Club, the fans, the employees, as well as the Club’s sponsors and partners.
"The sale of the Club will not be fast-tracked but will follow due process. I will not be asking for any loans to be repaid. This has never been about business nor money for me, but about pure passion for the game and Club. Moreover, I have instructed my team to set up a charitable foundation where all net proceeds from the sale will be donated. The foundation will be for the benefit of all victims of the war in Ukraine. This includes providing critical funds towards the urgent and immediate needs of victims, as well as supporting the long-term work of recovery.
"Please know that this has been an incredibly difficult decision to make, and it pains me to part with the Club in this manner. However, I do believe this is in the best interest of the Club.
"I hope that I will be able to visit Stamford Bridge one last time to say goodbye to all of you in person. It has been a privilege of a lifetime to be part of Chelsea FC and I am proud of all our joint achievements. Chelsea Football Club and its supporters will always be in my heart.
"Thank you, Roman."
New York merchant bank Raine Group have been tasked with finding a buyer, with the club valued at 2-and-a-quarter billion euro.
