LONDON (AP) 鈥� The British government said Tuesday it will take 鈥渇urther steps鈥� to ensure Roman Abramovich releases the 2.5 billion pounds (then $3.2 billion) he pledged to donate from the in 2022.
Chelsea after his native Russia鈥檚 military invasion of Ukraine, and the London club was bought by a consortium led by American investors Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital for what, at the time, was the highest price ever paid for a sports team.
Abramovich pledged to give the proceeds from the sale to victims of Russia鈥檚 war in Ukraine but the funds remain frozen amid a dispute between him and the British government, which says he has objected to plans for the money be spent exclusively in Ukraine.
Britain鈥檚 Press Association reported Tuesday that the government is preparing to take legal action against Abramovich after he missed a deadline of March 17 to hand over the money.
鈥淲e gave Roman Abramovich his last chance to do the right thing,鈥� the government said. 鈥淥nce again, he has failed to make the donation he committed to.
鈥淲e will now take further steps to ensure that the promise he made at the time of the Chelsea sale is kept.鈥�
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