The UK government is preparing to take Roman Abramovich to court in a dramatic move aimed at unlocking the £2.5 billion frozen since his sale of Chelsea Football Club in May 2022.

The funds, which have been tied up in a UK bank account for over three years, were pledged by Abramovich to support victims of the war in Ukraine—but have yet to be released.

Abramovich, who was sanctioned by the UK following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, agreed to sell Chelsea under pressure from then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s administration. He publicly declared that the net proceeds from the sale would be donated “for the benefit of all victims of the war in Ukraine.” Despite this promise, the funds remain untouched, with no legal resolution reached between Abramovich and the UK government.

Now, Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Foreign Secretary David Lammy have issued a joint statement expressing growing frustration and a clear willingness to escalate the matter through legal channels.

“The Government is determined to see the proceeds from the sale of Chelsea Football Club reach humanitarian causes in Ukraine,” the statement read.

“While the door for negotiations will remain open, we are fully prepared to pursue this through the courts if required.”

This legal standoff comes at a time when Chelsea’s post-Abramovich era has been defined by American ownership under Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital, who completed the £4.25 billion takeover in May 2022. Of that total, £2.5 billion was designated for humanitarian causes, pending government oversight of its disbursement.

For Chelsea fans, this latest twist is a stark reminder of the geopolitical backdrop that shaped the club’s recent history. While the Blues focus on rebuilding on the pitch, their former owner remains at the centre of an unresolved financial and diplomatic saga.