Chelsea’s Abramovich visa renewal delayed amidst UK-Russia tensions

Chelsea Football Club owner Roman Abramovich UK visa renewal has met delays. The issue was highlighted because he was unable to attend the FA Cup final on Saturday in which Chelsea, the team that he owns, beat Manchester United to lift the trophy.

A source close to the 51-year-old suggested he was in the process of renewing his visa, and said it was taking a little longer than usual. Asked about the visa, Security Minister Ben Wallace said: “We do not routinely comment on individual cases.”

Mr Abramovich’s office said it does not discuss personal matters with the media. Reports suggest his investor visa expired three weeks ago.

The delay comes amid increased diplomatic tensions between London and Moscow after the poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal in Salisbury.