Chelsea icon John Terry has launched a furious broadside against the UK government, labelling its treatment of former club owner Roman Abramovich as 'disgusting'. The ex-England captain's explosive comments come more than three-and-a-half years after Abramovich was forced to sell the West London club following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
The Sanctions That Changed Chelsea's Future
In March 2022, Boris Johnson's Conservative government sanctioned Roman Abramovich, freezing his assets and effectively compelling the Russian businessman to end his nineteen-year ownership of Chelsea Football Club. The club was subsequently sold to a consortium led by American businessman Todd Boehly.
These sanctions have remained in place under Sir Keir Starmer's Labour government, with the enormous £2.5 billion generated from the Chelsea sale still frozen in a UK bank account. This ongoing situation has provoked Terry's impassioned defence of his former employer.
Terry's Emotional Defence on The Obi One Podcast
Speaking on The Obi One Podcast, Terry didn't hold back in his criticism of the government's actions. 'I think he's one of the nicest people you could ever meet in your life,' Terry stated. 'I think it's disgusting what happened to him, I really do. I think as a UK government we should be embarrassed by our actions towards him.'
Terry went on to highlight Abramovich's charitable contributions during the COVID-19 pandemic, specifically mentioning how the oligarch opened Stamford Bridge to NHS staff and provided accommodation during lockdown. 'What he did during lockdown and what he did for the NHS was sensational,' Terry emphasised.
A Legacy of Transformation and Success
The former Chelsea captain detailed the profound impact Abramovich had on the club's infrastructure and culture following his 2003 acquisition. Terry recalled the dismal state of the old training ground, which Abramovich immediately condemned before overseeing the development of the world-class Cobham facility.
Beyond physical improvements, Terry stressed Abramovich's personal investment in both players and supporters. 'He was invested in you guys as well,' Terry told his podcast hosts. 'He would come to us and go, "We're paying for supporters to travel to Bolton this weekend because it's after a Champions League game." That happened quite a bit under Roman.'
According to Terry's account, Abramovich's commitment extended far beyond typical club ownership, creating a family atmosphere while delivering unprecedented success including multiple Premier League titles and Champions League glory.
The circumstances surrounding Abramovich's forced departure from Chelsea are detailed in the recently released book 'Sanctioned'. In interviews conducted for the book, the 59-year-old businessman expressed a desire to one day say a proper goodbye to Chelsea fans but confirmed he has no interest in returning to professional football in any capacity.
