A year ago
According to leaked documents, former Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich 'secretly' sponsors Eredivisie team Vitesse Arnhem.
Abramovich saw a period of incredible Chelsea success during his tenure at the club, from 2003 to 2022, an unprecedented period in west London.
The Russians were essentially forced to sell the Premier League giants in the aftermath of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
There is some uncertainty at Stamford Bridge as the club awaits sale, with some reports suggesting that the billionaire could put them in charge if he wanted to.
Blues fans sang his name last year in support of the 56-year-old as he helped them win five Premier League titles and two Champions Leagues, despite widespread condemnation. According to reports last year, the former Chelsea owner bought the Turkish club Goztepe FC after selling the English club, but they later denied this.
But now, according to the Guardian, it turns out that Abramovich helped fund the Netherlands' Vitesse when he owned the Blues.
The newspaper and the Investigative Press Office have seen leaked documents from the tycoon's files showing £102.8m in 'secret funding' by Abramovich for the takeover of the Eredivisie team in 2010 by former Georgian football player Merab Jordania.
Jordania has described the Russian as a friend after the takeover, but all parties deny any involvement by the Chelsea owner. Russian businessman Alexander Chigirinsky took over from Jordan in 2013, raising more questions about whether Abramovich was involved.
Back in 2014, the former Vitesse owner claimed his squad was not boosted for the Champions League because 'London doesn't want it'.
Vitesse and Chelsea have a strong relationship, with the English side regularly sending young talent to the Netherlands on loan to prepare them for the first team.
Nemanja Matic, Mason Mount and Armando Broja are among the most successful players who have temporarily joined a club called FC Hollywood Upon Rhine."
10 years at Chelsea, becoming the longest-serving player with the club, Brazilian striker Lucas Piazon also had a time with the Netherlands national team.
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