Roman Abramovich awaiting renewal of UK visa

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich missed watching his side win the FA Cup yesterday as he’s still awaiting the renewal of his UK visa.

The Financial Times reported on Sunday that Abramovich, who bought Chelsea in June 2003, is currently without a visa for the UK – and hasn’t been able to enter the country since the end of last month – when it expired.

A spokesman for the Jewish billionaire declined to comment on the report, with John Mann, the 51-year-old Abramovich‘s Moscow-based spokesman, telling Press Association Sport it was a private matter and there would be no comment.

Although London is one of Abramovich‘s residences, he spends a lot of time in Moscow. The Sunday Times lists Abramovich as Britain’s 13th richest man, with a net worth of £9.3billion.

The Financial Times pointed to the increased geopolitical tensions between the Kremlin and the west. But there is nothing to say the Abramovich visa situation, where his renewal application is taking longer than usual, is linked.

Earlier this month, Abramovich told Jewish News about his charitable side and how he looks to medieval Sephardic Jewish philosopher Maimonides as inspiration when donating to charitable organisations