Russian Oligarch Owner Of Chelsea Football Club Wants To Be Israeli Citizen
Graphic by Angelie Zaslavsky
The billionaire owner of soccer team Chelsea FC, Roman Abramovich, will become an Israeli citizen on Thursday, the Jerusalem Post reported.
Abramovich, who is Russian, has been living in the United Kingdom on a recently expired visa— allegedly a possible cause of his move to Israel. Reportedly, authorities would not renew his work visa, as tensions rose between Russia and the UK following a Russian intelligence officer who acted as a double agent for UK’s intelligence services being poisoned.
The businessman acquired the Chelsea club in 2003. He recently headed the team’s “Say No To Antisemitism” campaign and has been known to financially support Israel over the past two decades, including a $30 million donation to Tel Aviv University in 2015.
Contact Haley Cohen at [email protected]
I’m personally matching all gifts to the Forward, up to $36,000. Can I match your gift now?
Hello, fellow Forward reader! I’m Joel Brown, a Forward reader and supporter for more than 15 years, and currently the chair of the board of directors.
I’m an avid Forward reader because it ticks so many of my essential boxes: excellent journalism, Jewish focus and diverse viewpoints. In today’s political climate, what I most appreciate is the Forward’s independence — made possible by the generosity of its membership.
The Forward is committed to bringing you unbiased, nuanced Jewish news. From my position as board chair, I see an exciting future as we expand our position as the definitive independent voice of contemporary American Judaism.
— Joel Brown, Forward board chair
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
