An opposition MP in the UK says Roman Abramovich should no longer be allowed to own Chelsea.
Labour's Chris Bryant has called for 55-year old's assets to be seized following the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Mr. Bryant claimed to be in possession of a Home Office document from 2019 which suggested Abramovich should no longer be allowed to base himself in the UK.
Abramovich is the man primarily responsible for the most successful period in Chelsea's history, with his millions ploughed into the club since 2003 furnishing five of their six league titles, just as many FA Cups and two Champions League titles.
The Russian was absent from Stamford Bridge for three years, with the British government declining his application for Tier 1 investor visa status in 2018.
Earlier this week, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson imposed sanctions on three Russian billionaires, and seized the assets of five banks as Russia prepared to invade Ukraine.
Johnson later admitted to misleading parliament when he claimed that Abramovich - believed to be close to Russian president, Vladimir Putin - was already subject to sanctions.
Quoting from the 2019 document, Bryant told MPs on Thursday, "As part of HMG's [Her Majesty's Government] Russia strategy aimed at targeting illicit finance and malign activity, Abramovich remains of interest to HMG due to his links to the Russian state and his public association with corrupt activity and practices.
“Mr Abramovich should no longer be able to own a football club in this country? We should be looking at seizing some of his assets including his 152 million pound home and make sure that other people that have Tier 1 visas like this are not engaged in malign activity in the UK.” pic.twitter.com/yFnWQ8eOG8
— Chris Bryant (@RhonddaBryant) February 24, 2022
"An example of this is Abramovich admitting in court proceedings that he paid for political influence.
"Therefore HMG is focused on ensuring individuals linked to illicit finance and malign activity are unable to base themselves in the UK and will use the relevant tools at its disposal, including immigration powers to prevent this'."
Mr. Bryant added, "Surely Mr. Abramovich should no longer be able to own a football club in this country?
"Surely we should be looking at seizing some of his assets including his £152m home?"
UEFA to strip Russia of Champions League final, condemns invasion
