British Cypriot Nick Candy Potential Buyer of Chelsea Club

Billionaire Nick Candy recently expressed his interest in buying the Chelsea Football Club after it became clear that owner Roman Abramovich could sell the Club.

Russian oligarch Abramovich has had his assets frozen on Thursday after being sanctioned by the UK in response to his close connections with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Although Abramovich owns Chelsea, it was allowed to continue operations, provided that it offer no contracts to new players, nor sell any merchandise, as the profits would go to the oligarch.

There was some doubt as to whether Abramovich would be able to sell the Club under the rules, but it became clear on Friday that the Russian mogul could sell the Club if he allowed the state to intervene in the sale.

Nick Candy emerges as potential buyer of Chelsea

British billionaire Nick Candy, himself a lifelong fan of Chelsea, has expressed interest in taking over the Club.

The British property developer is the son of a British father and Greek Cypriot mother.

Speaking to The Independent, Candy’s spokesperson stated that “We are examining the details of yesterday’s announcement and we are still interested in making a bid. Clearly this is a time of great uncertainty for all Chelsea fans.”

The billionaire also reassured fans that he would respect the Club and its fans if he took over.

“In our view, no one is the owner of a football club – you are the custodian of it for the fans and the community,” Candy said in a statement.

Candy is just one of many potential buyers who have expressed interest in purchasing the Club.

Abramovich, as well as many other Russian oligarchs who have connections to Putin, were under scrutiny after Russia invaded Ukraine in late February.

Last week, before he was sanctioned by the UK government, Abramovich expressed his wish to help mediate for peace in the Ukraine conflict.

Abramovich “was contacted by the Ukrainian side for support in achieving a peaceful resolution, and that he has been trying to help ever since,” a spokesman for him stated last week. However, it remains unknown just how he personally might help the peace process, while some hinted that he may have made the move in an effort to avoid sanctions.

The metals mogul, who is a Putin ally, and whose net worth is thought to be over $13 billion, stated at the time that he would transfer control of Chelsea to the team’s own charitable foundation as a way to keep it free of sanctions.

Many wealthy Russians living abroad have spoken out against the war, with one oligarch, the owner of a London newspaper, even published an editorial demanding that Putin “stop this war.”