Former Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is embroiled in a major legal battle with the Jersey government, four years after selling the West London club. Experts have warned that the case could have serious financial consequences for the British Channel Island.

The Russian billionaire, who took up residence in Jersey in 2017, is challenging the authorities over an investigation into the source of his wealth. The dispute centres on £5.3 billion in assets frozen following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

As authorities examine whether his money is linked to criminal activity, Abramovich claims the investigation is politically motivated. He has significantly deeper pockets than the island’s authorities, raising concerns about the potential cost of taking on the former Chelsea owner.

Roman Abramovich’s £5.3bn battle could have huge consequences for Jersey

Jersey launched an investigation into Roman Abramovich’s wealth after the war in Ukraine began in 2022. Authorities froze £5.3 billion in assets connected to the Russian billionaire and began examining whether the money came from historical corporate transactions in Russia.

The investigation has attracted significant attention because of the potential financial consequences for Jersey. The former Chelsea owner has considerable financial resources, and the island could face a huge bill if they lose the legal battle.

“I think there’s only one winner in a financial shootout between a state and an oligarch, and that’s very often the oligarch,” Keating said. “The UK director of the National Crime Agency is on the record saying, ‘We don’t go after oligarchs unless we’re very sure we’re going to win’ because the financial consequences of losing could bankrupt them and be very distressing for the treasury in Jersey.”

Asked whether the dispute could financially destroy Jersey, Keating added: “That must be a concern for the authorities in Jersey.”

The case is also unlikely to be resolved quickly. Keating believes there should be some clarity in the coming months, but expects any decision to be challenged.

He continued: “I understand there should be some kind of judgment in the coming months, but these cases, whatever the outcome is, will be counter-challenged, so this is a saga that will run.”

Meanwhile, the dispute over the proceeds from Chelsea’s sale remains unresolved. The £2.5 billion generated by the 2022 takeover remains frozen in a bank account, with the government insisting that the money must go towards humanitarian aid in Ukraine.

Abramovich’s representatives have argued that the funds should support all victims of the war, rather than being restricted to Ukraine. The government has rejected that position and threatened legal action to force the funds to be released.

The two cases are separate, and the Jersey investigation has no connection to Chelsea’s current ownership group, led by Behdad Eghbali. However, both show how the consequences of Abramovich’s time at Stamford Bridge continue to follow him several years after he sold the club.