Roman Abramovich in exile in Turkey

Russian oligarch and former owner of Chelsea FC Roman Abramovich has been pictured in Turkey, as he continues to live a life in exile, away from the press, the drama of the war that had a hand in his exit, and from the corruption allegations that threaten to tarnish his reputation forever.

As a result of key sanctions imposed by the EU following the eruption of Russia’s war with Ukraine, billionaire Roman Abramovich now cuts a humbled figure as he hides away in Turkey. The wealth at his disposal however still allows him to lead a luxurious lifestyle away from the UK.

Superyacht now marooned

The ex-Blues owner has also had his 500 million pound superyacht marooned due to UK and EU restrictions placed on him. The damning situation serves as a sharp contrast from a life of opulence and prestige, with the world seemingly at his fingertips, at the head of one of the biggest football teams in the world.

His exile remains a serious talking point among football fans, with many wondering if he will  ever return to football, and what he will do once sanctions become relaxed, and he can find himself freed again from the controversy and scandal.

Sources insist that Abramovich still enjoys the fruits of his labour as a billionaire, with the Russian, who made his riches primarily through the oil industry in the 90s reportedly still able to travel freely back and forth to Russia where he invests much of his time and effort into politics, and regularly goes lunching at the finest restaurants Turkey has to offer. 

But his new life is still a world away from his hayday, where he was loved by many Chelsea fans for his lucrative investments into the club, and keen interest in football, in his tenure as owner from 2003 to 2022.

Banishment from UK after sanctions raised questions on how Abramovich generated his wealth

Theresa May cut his UK stay short some 18 months ago, but with his visa now long expired, and his mansion on the water unable to be used, his limited lifestyle is still envied by many, as the abundance of wealth at his disposal reaches nearly 10 billion dollars.

What money cannot buy – or get rid of, for that matter – is the looming reputation damage he has had to endure as a result of the sanctions. Questions were subsequently asked of his ethical and moral basis after being phased out of the country in 2022, causing him to exit his post at chelsea. Many probed into how exactly he generated his masses of wealth.

Corruption, unfortunately, is all too common in football, as the sport acts as a microcosm in many ways of the trickle down effect of modern society. Those with the most power can have it all, and be spoiled by their glorious splendour, regardless of what they did to get that power, while those at the bottom have to endure the endless suffering of poverty and injustice.

Football has fast become a business, reserved to those with the most financial capacity and taste for the dark arts, as the corporate competitiveness of today’s world has crept into the sport, and by all means, it is very much now here to stay.

One might say that no one is above the law, as Roman’s exile may prove, but this case, imposed by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, prompted the UK and Europe to act. They had no choice. For many other oligarchs and conglomerates that pollute not only sport, but many important industries of today, however, their illicit activities go seemingly unpunished. 

Abramovich’s career in the big bucks

After leaving school at 16, Abramovich quickly began his business selling plastic ducks, before spotting the potential of the oil and gas industry and making his move, trading heavily in the sector and fast becoming one of the richest men in Europe. 

This year, he has continued to make serious financial waves after being the primary recipient of a 300 million pound sale of London based steel powerhouse Evraz, with his eye for the stock market also well noted.

He also continues in his fight against anti-semitism. Over the last year, the billionaire, who owns Israeli citizenship, donated tens of millions of pounds to Jewish charitable causes.

Find more celebrity news here, with Euro Weekly News.