Roman Abramovich has warned the British government he will contest any attempt to confiscate the proceeds from the sale of Chelsea Football Club, escalating a dispute over the frozen funds more than two years after the Premier League club changed ownership.

The Russian billionaire sold Chelsea in 2022 after being placed under UK sanctions following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The club was purchased by a consortium led by American investor Todd Boehly in a deal valued at around four billion pounds.

Under the terms of the arrangement approved by the British government, the proceeds from the sale were placed in a frozen UK bank account with the intention that they would ultimately be directed to humanitarian causes linked to the war in Ukraine.

However, disagreements between Abramovich’s representatives and British officials over how the money should be distributed have prevented the funds from being released.

The British government has argued that the money should be directed specifically toward humanitarian efforts benefiting Ukraine, while Abramovich’s side has indicated the funds should support victims of the war more broadly, including people affected on both sides of the conflict.

The stalemate has prompted growing pressure within the United Kingdom for a resolution.

Some officials have suggested that the government may consider legal measures to transfer the money if an agreement cannot be reached.

Abramovich’s lawyers have now signalled that such a move would be strongly contested in court.

In communications with the government, the former Chelsea owner has indicated he would fight any attempt to confiscate the funds, arguing that the proceeds remain his property and were placed in escrow as part of the conditions under which the club’s sale was authorised.

The legal dispute centres on complex questions surrounding sanctions law, property rights and the specific commitments made during negotiations over the club’s sale.

Abramovich had previously stated that he intended the proceeds to go to a charitable foundation aimed at helping victims of the conflict in Ukraine.

Since the sale, the money has remained frozen in a UK bank account under government supervision while discussions over the creation of a charitable structure continue.

Officials say the funds cannot be distributed until a legally acceptable framework is agreed that ensures the money complies with sanctions rules and humanitarian objectives.

The issue has become a sensitive political matter in Britain, where lawmakers have urged ministers to ensure the funds are used to support victims of the war while also adhering to the country’s legal obligations under sanctions regimes.

If the government were to attempt to seize the funds unilaterally, it could trigger a significant legal battle that would test the limits of sanctions enforcement and the treatment of assets belonging to individuals under financial restrictions.

For now, negotiations over the fate of the Chelsea sale proceeds remain unresolved, leaving billions of pounds frozen while lawyers and officials continue efforts to reach a settlement acceptable to all parties.