Chelsea not for Sale to Arab billionaire

Chelsea Football Club have yet again affirmed that they will not sell the club to Arab billionaire Dr Sulaiman al-Fahim and a group of German investors, it is reported that Roman Abramovich will not entertain any idea of a sale, and has reiterated his long term commitment to the club. This comes in response to newspaper articles which wrongly stated that Roman Abramovich had been in talks with the Dr Sulaiman al-Fahim to sell Chelsea Football Club. Roman Abramovich had been so enraged by an article printed in the Sunday Times that stated both he and the club had lied, that court papers were filed against the newspaper for defamation on Monday morning. The Independent on Sunday were seemingly so concerned about the possibility of legal action being taken by Chelsea Football Club that they printed the following retraction

“Friday, 23 January 2009

In The Independent on Sunday on 18 January we reported on a story in that day's Sunday Times which suggested Roman Abramovich's representatives have been in talks over selling his interest in Chelsea FC, and also reported statements made by the club the day before confirming that Mr Abramovich was not looking to sell his interest and that he remained committed as ever. In publishing this story we did not of course mean to suggest that Mr Abramovich or Chelsea had lied or misled the public, a point we are happy to underline now. “

The following statement was published on the Chelsea Football Club official website:

“Legal Proceedings Started

Tue 20 Jan 2009

Roman Abramovich has begun proceedings for defamation against Times Newspapers Limited as a result of a front page article published in The Sunday Times on 18 January 2009.

Chelsea Football Club are also a claimant. The proceedings were started in the High Court yesterday (Monday).” Peter Kenyon the Chief Executive at Chelsea Football Club met with the Chelsea Club Fans Forum on Saturday, speaking out against the published article he totally dismissed the rumours which had instigated the newspaper story, stating that they were completely “unfounded” and that the owner was as committed as ever to Chelsea Football Club.