JAKARTA - Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich has been sanctioned by British authorities. The Chelsea owner is an ally of President Vladimir Putin.
The British government said on Thursday Abramovich was among seven Russian businessmen on their sanctions list for increasing pressure on Red Bear Country for its invasion of Ukraine.
The new list includes other members of Putin's inner circle, such as Oleg Deripaska, Dmitri Lebedev and Igor Sechin. The assets of the seven men will be frozen and their travel restricted.
"There is no safe haven for those who have supported Putin's ruthless attacks in Ukraine," British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said, according to CNBC on Thursday.
The crackdown follows Abramovich's announcement last week that he would sell the Chelsea football club, as well as a string of luxury London properties, as he began selling his British assets.
The 55-year-old, whose initial fortune came from the privatization of Russian industry, said at the time that his decision to sell the Blues was in the club's best interest.
Then, all the net proceeds from the sale will be donated to the victims of the war.
Following the announcement of the sanction, a prospective takeover of Chelsea is currently on hold. And any sale in connection with Abramovich's assets must be authorized by the British government.
Meanwhile, Britain's sports ministry said it would work closely with football clubs and leagues to ensure matches could continue to be played.
"The license will continue to be reviewed and we will work closely with football authorities," a government spokesman said.
One of Abramovich's spokesmen said he could not immediately comment.
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