Amanda Staveley, director at Newcastle United, was today drawn on the developing situation at Premier League rivals Chelsea, where owner Roman Abramovich was left with little choice but to put the Blues up for sale.

The subject of ongoings at Stamford Bridge has of course taken its place front and centre in the headlines across the week to date.

This comes with beloved owner Abramovich, whose wealth has proven so crucial to Chelsea’s emergence as a European heavyweight, having first confirmed his intention to ‘give trustees of Chelsea’s charitable Foundation the stewardship and care of Chelsea FC’.

This came owing to mounting scrutiny on the Russian oligarch based on his ties to Vladimir Putin, amid the country’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.

Roman Abramovich

LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 16: Roman Abramovich looks on from the stands during the Barclays Premier League match between Chelsea and Manchester City at Stamford Bridge on April 16, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images)

Whilst, initially, it appeared as though Abramovich had little intention to part ways with Chelsea on a permanent basis, though, the situation, on Wednesday, took a drastic turn.

Amid the very real threat of having his assets seized by the UK government, the Blues’ long-time chief released a 2nd statement, confirming that the club, indeed, had been put up for sale:

”I would like to address the speculation in media over the past few days in relation to my ownership of Chelsea FC. As I have stated before, I have always taken decisions with the Club’s best interest at heart. In the current situation, I have therefore taken the decision to sell the Club, as I believe this is in the best interest of the Club, the fans, the employees, as well as the Club’s sponsors and partners.

”The sale of the Club will not be fast-tracked but will follow due process. I will not be asking for any loans to be repaid. This has never been about business nor money for me, but about pure passion for the game and Club. Moreover, I have instructed my team to set up a charitable foundation where all net proceeds from the sale will be donated. The foundation will be for the benefit of all victims of the war in Ukraine. This includes providing critical funds towards the urgent and immediate needs of victims, as well as supporting the long-term work of recovery.”

‘Don’t think that is particularly fair’

Speaking to the media on Thursday afternoon, it therefore came as little surprise when the subject of Chelsea’s imminent changing of hands was put to another of the new money-laden additions to the Premier League landscape.

The individual in question? Newcastle United director Amanada Staveley.

During a press conference for the Financial Times, Staveley, a key component in the Saudi-based takeover of Newcastle late last year, was drawn on Abramovich being left with little choice but to call time on his stint in charge of Chelsea.

And the British businesswoman (in a surprise to just about no one in attendance) went on to reveal her opinion that the situation at Stamford Bridge isn’t ‘particularly fair’, amid the insinuation that Abramovich should not be forced to give up his Premier League endeavours simply owing to ‘a link’ with Vladimir Putin:

 

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