Portugal approved the sale of Chelsea

The The Portuguese Government on Thursday authorized the sale of Chelseaa necessary procedure so that the Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich, who also had Portuguese nationality, could carry out the operation.

Portugal authorized the transaction after “guarantees provided by British authorities” that proceeds from the operation “will be used for humanitarian purposes“and will not benefit the owner” directly or indirectly “, the Portuguese Foreign Ministry explained in a statement on Thursday.

Approval rested with the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Finance, which granted “humanitarian derogation, allowing the English club to transact” at Abramovich’s request.

This decision is “with the agreement of the European Commission”, underline the text. This is the last step needed to continue the operation, which cost 4,970 million euros, after receiving the green light from the British Government and Premier League on Wednesday.

Portugal’s permission is required because Abramovich has had Portuguese nationality since last year and is on the European Union’s list of those permitted.

Abramovich was forced to sell Chelsea as a result of the sanctions imposed by the war on Ukraine and wants to transfer it to a consortium led by billionaire Todd Boehly, owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team.

The oligarch, linked to Russian President Vladimir Putin, was sanctioned by the European Union on March 15, which decided to freeze his assets and prevent citizens and companies from the community bloc from committing funds for him.

Permits are also subject to a ban on travel, entry or transit into EU territories, although Abramovich could enter Portugal by obtaining Portuguese nationality through the law granting Portuguese passports to descendants. of the Sephardic Jews.

The process is under investigation for alleged irregularities in certificates proving his Jewish ancestry.