LONDON: Chelsea's Russian owner Roman Abramovich said Saturday he was handing over the "stewardship and care" of the Premier League club to the trustees of its charitable foundation. The move comes with Russia under intense scrutiny following its invasion of Ukraine this week. Billionaire Abramovich, who took over at Stamford Bridge in 2003, said in a statement: "During my nearly 20-year ownership of Chelsea FC, I have always viewed my role as a custodian of the club, whose job it is ensuring that we are as successful as we can be today, as well as build for the future, while also playing a positive role in our communities.

"I have always taken decisions with the club's best interest at heart. I remain committed to these values. That is why I am today giving trustees of Chelsea's charitable foundation the stewardship and care of Chelsea FC. I believe that currently they are in the best position to look after the interests of the club, players, staff, and fans."

It is understood Abramovich took the decision in order to protect Chelsea from reputational damage as war rages in Ukraine. The Telegraph reported Abramovich will remain the owner of the club and is not looking to sell the European champions. Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck is also chair of the club's foundation. Blues manager Thomas Tuchel admitted on Friday that uncertainty over Abramovich's future as owner was weighing on his club ahead of yesterday's League Cup final against Liverpool.

Earlier in the week, using parliamentary privilege, Liberal Democrat MP Layla Moran named Abramovich as one of 35 "key enablers" to Russian leader Vladimir Putin who should be sanctioned. The UK government on Friday ordered all assets of Putin and his Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov frozen over Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The Treasury issued financial sanctions notices against the two men, adding them to a list of Russian oligarchs who have already had their property and bank accounts in the UK frozen. Abramovich is not on the list. Britain is a favorite destination for oligarchs and their families and has been criticized for not doing enough to prevent the flow of their money into the country. Abramovich has supplied Chelsea with £1.5 billion ($2 billion) worth of funding over the past 19 years.

Chelsea have enjoyed a period of unprecedented success as a result, winning five Premier League titles and two Champions League crowns among a vast haul of silverware since he took over the club. "We note Mr Abramovich's statement and are seeking urgent clarification on what this statement means for the running of Chelsea FC," the Chelsea Supporters' Trust (CST) said in a statement. "The CST board are ready to work with the trustees of The Chelsea Foundation in order to ensure the long-term interests of the club and supporters. We stand with the people of Ukraine."

Meanwhile, Russian president Vladimir Putin has been suspended as honorary president of the International Judo Federation (IJF) due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the sport's governing body announced yesterday. "In light of the ongoing war... in Ukraine, the International Judo Federation announces the suspension of Mr Vladimir Putin's status as Honorary President and Ambassador of the International Judo Federation," read the IJF statement.

Putin, an accomplished judoka who was awarded an eighth dan in 2014 - one of the highest levels in the sport, has been honorary president since 2008. IJF president Marius Vizer lauded him back in 2014 as "the perfect ambassador for our sport". Putin has made much of his fondness for keeping fit with judo and ice hockey.

Also, the Czech Football Association said yesterday the national team would not play Russia in a potential 2022 World Cup playoff in March following the invasion of Ukraine. "The Czech national team will in no case play a potential game against Russia in the World Cup playoffs," the Czech FA said in a statement, following the same decision by Sweden and Poland. - AFP