Everyone interested, and especially anyone who is in any doubt about Abramovic (or anything else about Putin) needs to buy and read "Putin's People" by Catherine Belton. It was she who was sued by RA as part of a terrifying multiple legal pile-on by several oligarchs using of course London, where the courts are libel friendly and many "top" law firms line up to take the oligarch dollar. (Roubles not accepted). Fortunately her publisher Harper Collins stood by her in the action and they saw them all off. Which frankly amazed me, I feared the worst. It also has to be recorded that Harper Collins is owned by Rupert Murdoch. All she had to do in the court judgement was amend a few sentences to make clear that a key source for the claim that Putin "ordered" RA to buy Chelsea was not backed up by others so explicitly. Everything else remains and shows clearly how RA could not continue to live as he does without being in hock to Putin.The book is meticulously researched - 30 % is footnotes detailing the sources for every assertion ( an inspiration for our Dossiers, btw) - yet rattles along like a thriller.
Ms Belton featured in last night's Panorama on Ukraine btw. A physically diminutive woman of immense courage. I'd say its the second best donation you can make after one to Ukraine directly.
Everyone interested, and especially anyone who is in any doubt about Abramovic (or anything else about Putin) needs to buy and read "Putin's People" by Catherine Belton. It was she who was sued by RA as part of a terrifying multiple legal pile-on by several oligarchs using of course London, where the courts are libel friendly and many "top" law firms line up to take the oligarch dollar. (Roubles not accepted). Fortunately her publisher Harper Collins stood by her in the action and they saw them all off. Which frankly amazed me, I feared the worst. It also has to be recorded that Harper Collins is owned by Rupert Murdoch. All she had to do in the court judgement was amend a few sentences to make clear that a key source for the claim that Putin "ordered" RA to buy Chelsea was not backed up by others so explicitly. Everything else remains and shows clearly how RA could not continue to live as he does without being in hock to Putin.The book is meticulously researched - 30 % is footnotes detailing the sources for every assertion ( an inspiration for our Dossiers, btw) - yet rattles along like a thriller.
Ms Belton featured in last night's Panorama on Ukraine btw. A physically diminutive woman of immense courage. I'd say its the second best donation you can make after one to Ukraine directly.
The Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov, who has commercial ties to Everton, has had his assets frozen by the European Union as it announced further sanctions in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Restrictions include a "prohibition from making funds available" and an EU travel ban.
The Usmanov-owned company USM Holdings sponsors Everton's training ground.
Usmanov also has an exclusive naming-rights option on Everton's new stadium.
Everton owner Farhad Moshiri is the chairman of USM Holdings.
In its reasoning, the EU Council said: "Alisher Usmanov is a pro-Kremlin oligarch with particularly close ties to Russian president Vladimir Putin".
It added that he "actively supported materially or financially Russian decision-makers responsible for the annexation of Crimea and the destabilisation of Ukraine".
So bloody annoying he sold all his Arsenal shareholding!
Everyone interested, and especially anyone who is in any doubt about Abramovic (or anything else about Putin) needs to buy and read "Putin's People" by Catherine Belton. It was she who was sued by RA as part of a terrifying multiple legal pile-on by several oligarchs using of course London, where the courts are libel friendly and many "top" law firms line up to take the oligarch dollar. (Roubles not accepted). Fortunately her publisher Harper Collins stood by her in the action and they saw them all off. Which frankly amazed me, I feared the worst. It also has to be recorded that Harper Collins is owned by Rupert Murdoch. All she had to do in the court judgement was amend a few sentences to make clear that a key source for the claim that Putin "ordered" RA to buy Chelsea was not backed up by others so explicitly. Everything else remains and shows clearly how RA could not continue to live as he does without being in hock to Putin.The book is meticulously researched - 30 % is footnotes detailing the sources for every assertion ( an inspiration for our Dossiers, btw) - yet rattles along like a thriller.
Ms Belton featured in last night's Panorama on Ukraine btw. A physically diminutive woman of immense courage. I'd say its the second best donation you can make after one to Ukraine directly.
Handing over "stewardship" of the club to the Chelsea Foundation is a smokescreen and a total sham, given that Abramovich retains ownership of Chelsea F.C. It feels like a panicky, knee-jerk response, perhaps to try and deflect some immediate heat and buy some time. It might also be an attempt to create some kind of negotiating position with the government but I don't see how.
In terms of Abramovich stepping back, it is noteworthy that the trustees include, amongst others, Bruce Buck, the club's Chairman and Abramovich's lawyer, and the club's current Finance Director.
Running a football club on a day-to-day basis will, by definition, be totally outside the charity's constitution and objects and it is no wonder that the Charities Commission have been in touch. They will be all over this like a rash.
The charity's trustees will also be mindful of their own potential legal liability, given the very real possibility that a conflict of interest will arise. Given that the club are reliant upon Abramovich's financial support on a day-to-day basis via his company, Fordstam Ltd, persons acting as directors or 'shadow directors' could also conceivably be faced with a claim for wrongful trading if Abramovich's assets were frozen and the club lurched towards insolvency. Chelsea lost £145.6m for the pandemic affected year ending 30 June 2021 despite a big increase in broadcasting income following their Champions League win. They made a profit of £39.5 million in 2019/20 and a loss of £102 million in 2018/19 - a then Premier League record, which would have been even greater but for a £60 million profit on player sales, principally from Courtois’ move to Real Madrid.
As the latest accounts to June 2021 say: "The company is reliant on Fordstam Limited for its continued financial support" and that such support will continue "for the foreseeable future". Abramovich's loans are reported to total £1.514 billion.
Although only eight oligarchs have been hit with UK sanctions thus far, Truss has told the House of Commons that the government is working through a “hit list” of Russian oligarchs with links to Putin. It's hard to believe that Abramovich is not on that list but we shall see.
Everyone interested, and especially anyone who is in any doubt about Abramovic (or anything else about Putin) needs to buy and read "Putin's People" by Catherine Belton. It was she who was sued by RA as part of a terrifying multiple legal pile-on by several oligarchs using of course London, where the courts are libel friendly and many "top" law firms line up to take the oligarch dollar. (Roubles not accepted). Fortunately her publisher Harper Collins stood by her in the action and they saw them all off. Which frankly amazed me, I feared the worst. It also has to be recorded that Harper Collins is owned by Rupert Murdoch. All she had to do in the court judgement was amend a few sentences to make clear that a key source for the claim that Putin "ordered" RA to buy Chelsea was not backed up by others so explicitly. Everything else remains and shows clearly how RA could not continue to live as he does without being in hock to Putin.The book is meticulously researched - 30 % is footnotes detailing the sources for every assertion ( an inspiration for our Dossiers, btw) - yet rattles along like a thriller.
Ms Belton featured in last night's Panorama on Ukraine btw. A physically diminutive woman of immense courage. I'd say its the second best donation you can make after one to Ukraine directly.
Everyone interested, and especially anyone who is in any doubt about Abramovic (or anything else about Putin) needs to buy and read "Putin's People" by Catherine Belton. It was she who was sued by RA as part of a terrifying multiple legal pile-on by several oligarchs using of course London, where the courts are libel friendly and many "top" law firms line up to take the oligarch dollar. (Roubles not accepted). Fortunately her publisher Harper Collins stood by her in the action and they saw them all off. Which frankly amazed me, I feared the worst. It also has to be recorded that Harper Collins is owned by Rupert Murdoch. All she had to do in the court judgement was amend a few sentences to make clear that a key source for the claim that Putin "ordered" RA to buy Chelsea was not backed up by others so explicitly. Everything else remains and shows clearly how RA could not continue to live as he does without being in hock to Putin.The book is meticulously researched - 30 % is footnotes detailing the sources for every assertion ( an inspiration for our Dossiers, btw) - yet rattles along like a thriller.
Ms Belton featured in last night's Panorama on Ukraine btw. A physically diminutive woman of immense courage. I'd say its the second best donation you can make after one to Ukraine directly.
Just downloaded it 👍🏼
Same - £4.99
Being an old buggar, I have ordered a paper version via Amazon!
Everyone interested, and especially anyone who is in any doubt about Abramovic (or anything else about Putin) needs to buy and read "Putin's People" by Catherine Belton. It was she who was sued by RA as part of a terrifying multiple legal pile-on by several oligarchs using of course London, where the courts are libel friendly and many "top" law firms line up to take the oligarch dollar. (Roubles not accepted). Fortunately her publisher Harper Collins stood by her in the action and they saw them all off. Which frankly amazed me, I feared the worst. It also has to be recorded that Harper Collins is owned by Rupert Murdoch. All she had to do in the court judgement was amend a few sentences to make clear that a key source for the claim that Putin "ordered" RA to buy Chelsea was not backed up by others so explicitly. Everything else remains and shows clearly how RA could not continue to live as he does without being in hock to Putin.The book is meticulously researched - 30 % is footnotes detailing the sources for every assertion ( an inspiration for our Dossiers, btw) - yet rattles along like a thriller.
Ms Belton featured in last night's Panorama on Ukraine btw. A physically diminutive woman of immense courage. I'd say its the second best donation you can make after one to Ukraine directly.
Everyone interested, and especially anyone who is in any doubt about Abramovic (or anything else about Putin) needs to buy and read "Putin's People" by Catherine Belton. It was she who was sued by RA as part of a terrifying multiple legal pile-on by several oligarchs using of course London, where the courts are libel friendly and many "top" law firms line up to take the oligarch dollar. (Roubles not accepted). Fortunately her publisher Harper Collins stood by her in the action and they saw them all off. Which frankly amazed me, I feared the worst. It also has to be recorded that Harper Collins is owned by Rupert Murdoch. All she had to do in the court judgement was amend a few sentences to make clear that a key source for the claim that Putin "ordered" RA to buy Chelsea was not backed up by others so explicitly. Everything else remains and shows clearly how RA could not continue to live as he does without being in hock to Putin.The book is meticulously researched - 30 % is footnotes detailing the sources for every assertion ( an inspiration for our Dossiers, btw) - yet rattles along like a thriller.
Ms Belton featured in last night's Panorama on Ukraine btw. A physically diminutive woman of immense courage. I'd say its the second best donation you can make after one to Ukraine directly.
Just downloaded it 👍🏼
Same - £4.99
Being an old buggar, I have ordered a paper version via Amazon!
Actually I rather wish I had the paper version, its both a gripping read and a reference book, and I find it very hard in an e-book to go back and find an important page still less sentence.
Everyone interested, and especially anyone who is in any doubt about Abramovic (or anything else about Putin) needs to buy and read "Putin's People" by Catherine Belton. It was she who was sued by RA as part of a terrifying multiple legal pile-on by several oligarchs using of course London, where the courts are libel friendly and many "top" law firms line up to take the oligarch dollar. (Roubles not accepted). Fortunately her publisher Harper Collins stood by her in the action and they saw them all off. Which frankly amazed me, I feared the worst. It also has to be recorded that Harper Collins is owned by Rupert Murdoch. All she had to do in the court judgement was amend a few sentences to make clear that a key source for the claim that Putin "ordered" RA to buy Chelsea was not backed up by others so explicitly. Everything else remains and shows clearly how RA could not continue to live as he does without being in hock to Putin.The book is meticulously researched - 30 % is footnotes detailing the sources for every assertion ( an inspiration for our Dossiers, btw) - yet rattles along like a thriller.
Ms Belton featured in last night's Panorama on Ukraine btw. A physically diminutive woman of immense courage. I'd say its the second best donation you can make after one to Ukraine directly.
Definitely an insightful read … worth getting
Bizarrely I bought a kindle version last week when it was kicking off. Not started it yet but will do now.
Everyone interested, and especially anyone who is in any doubt about Abramovic (or anything else about Putin) needs to buy and read "Putin's People" by Catherine Belton. It was she who was sued by RA as part of a terrifying multiple legal pile-on by several oligarchs using of course London, where the courts are libel friendly and many "top" law firms line up to take the oligarch dollar. (Roubles not accepted). Fortunately her publisher Harper Collins stood by her in the action and they saw them all off. Which frankly amazed me, I feared the worst. It also has to be recorded that Harper Collins is owned by Rupert Murdoch. All she had to do in the court judgement was amend a few sentences to make clear that a key source for the claim that Putin "ordered" RA to buy Chelsea was not backed up by others so explicitly. Everything else remains and shows clearly how RA could not continue to live as he does without being in hock to Putin.The book is meticulously researched - 30 % is footnotes detailing the sources for every assertion ( an inspiration for our Dossiers, btw) - yet rattles along like a thriller.
Ms Belton featured in last night's Panorama on Ukraine btw. A physically diminutive woman of immense courage. I'd say its the second best donation you can make after one to Ukraine directly.
Downloading it on audiobook so I can listen while I walk the dog. Cheers Prague, your insights on this, and many matters, are always appreciated.
Just in seeing the subtitle: "How the KGB Took Back Russia..." I'm reminded of something Fidel Castro said to Graham Greene in Greene's beautiful book "Getting to Know the General." I can't find my copy right now, I've had at least three down the years and all have suffered from wear and tear. But Castro says something to the effect that the KGB will one day take over Russia. They were recruited from the best schools and were often the hardliners, and Castro thought they would one day subsume the Kremlin. This would have been '77/'78, so a very prescient observation. Anyway, I digress, but I think about that passage often. And I highly recommend Getting to Know the General.
UPDATE: Just started the book and the epigraph is from Bob Levinson of the FBI. I'm guessing it's the same one who went missing in Iran in 2007?
Update to the update: I fell down a Bob Levinson rabbit hole and it must be.
She was on the BBC World Service this morning (the World Service is made for times like these, btw). There is a view that the oligarchs don't matter any more because he has them firmly in his grip. She doesn't agree with that. She reminded us all that Putin's whole appeal was about bringing stability to Russia after the chaos of the entire 90s. And now (at that point she could not suppress a laugh), he has brought the exact opposite. For the oligarchs this meant the ability to make and spend shedloads of money and buy property and football clubs in Chelsea. The value of their businesses is tanking precipitously. She did not go so far as to predict they will get together to topple him but the implication is there. The implication is that Bill Browder is right, go after them. But also go after the layers below. Those who are worth only £100m or £10m. They are the ones best placed to effect regime change, and now they have the motivation.
You can pick up the Denver Broncos in the NFL for less then that, and make far more money
Main problem about Chelsea from a business ownership is that they have no way to rebuild the stadium. Could make Wembley hospitality prices look cheap if they could expand the stadium.
We should sanction that bastard immediately and stop him doing anything.
Absolutely.
Sanction him now & stop him selling his assets. Let his solicitors scream and threaten all they like. Tie the case up in legal proceedings for years and if he eventually wins, then so be it.
How are we not freezing the assets of all Russians in this country with known links to the Kremlin? It is despicable that this is not being done and giving them time to move their assets is madness. There are Russians with assets in this country who are being sanctioned in other countries, we must ask why the same isn't being done here.
How are we not freezing the assets of all Russians in this country with known links to the Kremlin? It is despicable that this is not being done and giving them time to move their assets is madness. There are Russians with assets in this country who are being sanctioned in other countries, we must ask why the same isn't being done here.
Because most of the money in London is Russian money. Been an issue for almost twenty years but no one cared about it back then.
How are we not freezing the assets of all Russians in this country with known links to the Kremlin? It is despicable that this is not being done and giving them time to move their assets is madness. There are Russians with assets in this country who are being sanctioned in other countries, we must ask why the same isn't being done here.
It’s a decent question and one that only the Tory party can answer.
How are we not freezing the assets of all Russians in this country with known links to the Kremlin? It is despicable that this is not being done and giving them time to move their assets is madness. There are Russians with assets in this country who are being sanctioned in other countries, we must ask why the same isn't being done here.
Because most of the money in London is Russian money. Been an issue for almost twenty years but no one cared about it back then.
might be old news .. a Chelsea fan on the LBC breakfast show this a.m. said Abramovic does not own Stamford Bridge, the ground is owned by a separate Chelsea plc which rents the Bridge to the football club .. oh that CAFC had the same arrangement
might be old news .. a Chelsea fan on the LBC breakfast show this a.m. said Abramovic does not own Stamford Bridge, the ground is owned by a separate Chelsea plc which rents the Bridge to the football club .. oh that CAFC had the same arrangement
think I'm right in saying, supporters own the pitch or at least the used to. It was to stop property speculators building should they go under, back in the day of Ken Bates.
Comments
Ms Belton featured in last night's Panorama on Ukraine btw. A physically diminutive woman of immense courage. I'd say its the second best donation you can make after one to Ukraine directly.
In terms of Abramovich stepping back, it is noteworthy that the trustees include, amongst others, Bruce Buck, the club's Chairman and Abramovich's lawyer, and the club's current Finance Director.
Running a football club on a day-to-day basis will, by definition, be totally outside the charity's constitution and objects and it is no wonder that the Charities Commission have been in touch. They will be all over this like a rash.
The charity's trustees will also be mindful of their own potential legal liability, given the very real possibility that a conflict of interest will arise. Given that the club are reliant upon Abramovich's financial support on a day-to-day basis via his company, Fordstam Ltd, persons acting as directors or 'shadow directors' could also conceivably be faced with a claim for wrongful trading if Abramovich's assets were frozen and the club lurched towards insolvency. Chelsea lost £145.6m for the pandemic affected year ending 30 June 2021 despite a big increase in broadcasting income following their Champions League win. They made a profit of £39.5 million in 2019/20 and a loss of £102 million in 2018/19 - a then Premier League record, which would have been even greater but for a £60 million profit on player sales, principally from Courtois’ move to Real Madrid.
As the latest accounts to June 2021 say: "The company is reliant on Fordstam Limited for its continued financial support" and that such support will continue "for the foreseeable future". Abramovich's loans are reported to total £1.514 billion.
Although only eight oligarchs have been hit with UK sanctions thus far, Truss has told the House of Commons that the government is working through a “hit list” of Russian oligarchs with links to Putin. It's hard to believe that Abramovich is not on that list but we shall see.
Just in seeing the subtitle: "How the KGB Took Back Russia..." I'm reminded of something Fidel Castro said to Graham Greene in Greene's beautiful book "Getting to Know the General." I can't find my copy right now, I've had at least three down the years and all have suffered from wear and tear. But Castro says something to the effect that the KGB will one day take over Russia. They were recruited from the best schools and were often the hardliners, and Castro thought they would one day subsume the Kremlin. This would have been '77/'78, so a very prescient observation. Anyway, I digress, but I think about that passage often. And I highly recommend Getting to Know the General.
UPDATE: Just started the book and the epigraph is from Bob Levinson of the FBI. I'm guessing it's the same one who went missing in Iran in 2007?
Update to the update: I fell down a Bob Levinson rabbit hole and it must be.
I want to understand 👍🏼
Sanction him now & stop him selling his assets. Let his solicitors scream and threaten all they like. Tie the case up in legal proceedings for years and if he eventually wins, then so be it.