Chelsea Football Club owner, close to Putin, experiences ‘delay’ in UK visa renewal

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – The owner of one of Britain’s biggest football clubs has experienced an unusual “delay” in the renewal of a UK visa.

Chelsea Football Club’s Russian owner Roman Abramovich has faced delays in renewing his visa to the United Kingdom and was a notable absentee during his team’s triumph in Saturday’s 1-0 FA Cup final victory over Manchester United at Wembley Stadium in London.

According to the BBC, a source close to the Russian billionaire hinted that the 51-year-old was “in the process of renewing his visa,” but that it was “taking a little longer than usual.”

Russian officials on Monday, meanwhile, alleged that the UK was manipulating the denial and issuance of visas as a political tool in the increasing tensions between Moscow and London.

“It is obvious that for the British government both visas and the regulation of the media sphere are instruments of politics,” Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova was quoted as saying by The Guardian.

Regarding the reports of a delay in Abramovich’s visa, the Kremlin said Russian businesses and business persons usually encounter “unfair and unfriendly” procedures with applications to the UK.

The Chelsea owner’s visa application is being considered following the expiration of his previous one, issued before stricter regulations were introduced in April 2015.

The UK government launched a crackdown on wealthy Russian investors coming into Britain following the Salisbury chemical case which led to deteriorated ties between Moscow and London.

According to The Guardian, there has been an 84 percent decrease in the number of investor visa applications since the reforms were introduced.

Abramovich, who holds a tier one visa, is expected to face tougher standards when sending in a renewal application, which he will have to do from outside of the UK.

Although the Russian oligarch reportedly has close ties with President Vladimir Putin, there is no suggestion that he has been involved in any wrongdoing.

“The prime minister has been absolutely clear that our argument is not with the Russian people, our dispute is with the Russian government,” a spokesperson for UK PM Theresa May said.

Abramovich bought Chelsea in 2003 and has invested millions of dollars into the club which has grown into one of Britain’s most successful teams.