Former JLC chief Goldstein linked with bid to buy Chelsea
London football club is up for sale after current owner Roman Abramovich had his assets frozen by the UK government due to alleged links to Russian president Vladimir Putin
Lee Harpin is the Jewish News's political editor
Former Jewish Leadership Council chair Jonathan Goldstein is being linked to a bid to buy Chelsea FC.
The club is now on the market after current owner Roman Abramovich was sanctioned by the UK government for his links to Russian president Vladimir Putin.
Goldstein has been named alongside Todd Boehly and Hansjorg Wyss as they bid for the West London club following the government’s move to sanction Roman Abramovich.
The ex-JLC chief has worked with Boehly – who is a part-owner of the LA Lakers and LA Dodgers – for the past eight years.
Boehly announced his interest in buying Chelsea earlier this month in a deal with Swiss billionaire Wyss.
Goldstein is co-founder and CEO of Cain International, a private investment firm which has assets worth £8.2billion.
Also a huge Tottenham Hotspur fan Goldstein, tried to buy Spurs in 2014 through Cain.
Although all of Abramovich’s UK assets, including the football club, were frozen, the government is believed to be open to a sale so long as a license is granted to the new bidders. Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries has said Abramovich “will not benefit” from any sale of the club.
Goldstein stood down as JLC chair after five years in January. He played a leading role in the fight against antisemitism in Labour under Jeremy Corbyn. He was also proactive in coordinating the communal response to the Covid pandemic.
Speaking to Jewish News after his departure from the JLC he warned of the danger of the community being dragged into so called “culture wars.”
Jewish News has contacted Goldstein for comment.
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