The Charity Commission has been in touch with the Chelsea FC Foundation after the football club’s owner announced he was giving the trustees “stewardship” of the club.
On Saturday, Roman Abramovich, a prominent Russian billionaire, announced he would transfer “stewardship and care of the club” to the charity’s trustees.
It later emerged that trustees were unsure if they could take on this responsibility. The Charity Commission has confirmed that it is in touch with trustees about the matter.
Abramovich: ‘Best interests of the club’
As relations between western governments and Russia deteriorated, there was speculation about what could happen to Chelsea FC if the UK government were to sanction Abramovich.
On Saturday evening, the club posted a statement from Abramovich: “During my nearly 20-year ownership of Chelsea FC, I have always viewed my role as a custodian of the club, whose job it is ensuring that we are as successful as we can be today, as well as build for the future, while also playing a positive role in our communities.
“I have always taken decisions with the club’s best interest at heart. I remain committed to these values. That is why I am today giving trustees of Chelsea’s charitable Foundation the stewardship and care of Chelsea FC.
“I believe that currently they are in the best position to look after the interests of the club, players, staff, and fans.”
Trustees: Exploring what can be done
The charity is chaired by Bruce Buck, who is also chair of Chelsea FC. The club’s director of finance and manager of the women’s team also sit on the charity board.
The foundation’s 2020-21 annual report shows the charity has an income of £5.7m and employs nearly 100 people. It runs youth and community projects, including an anti-semitism project.
On Sunday, the BBC reported that the trustees were meeting to discuss the situation.
“Some have concerns over whether Charity Commission rules would allow them to run the club, and the foundation's lawyers are now exploring what can be done,” the BBC reported.
Charity Commission: ‘We have contacted the club’
It remains unclear exactly what has been proposed, the term “stewardship” is vague and has little meaning in legal terms.
Charities can own trading subsidiaries, where doing so benefits the charity, but it is uncertain if this is what has been proposed. Trustees must also make decisions according to what is in the best interests of the charity.
The Charity Commission said it approached the club.
A spokesperson said: “We have contacted the charity seeking information and, in line with our guidance, the charity has also made a report to the Commission. We cannot comment further at this time.”
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