Chelsea Women Boss Emma Hayes admitted Thursday was a ‘difficult day’ for the club following the British Government’s decision to sanction owner Roman Abramovich.
The Blues have been left in limbo after Abramovich’s UK assets were frozen due to his links with Vladimir Putin, who ordered their native Russia to invade Ukraine at the end of last month.
As a result, the Stamford Bridge chief can no longer press ahead with selling the club, unless he does so without taking any of the proceeds himself.
Chelsea have been granted a special licence by the Government to continue football operations, albeit with a number of restrictions in place, such as not selling tickets or merchandise.
And before the Women team locked horns with West Ham on Thursday night, Hayes conceded that she must now ‘navigate a difficult period’ following the news.
‘There’s no denying it’s a difficult day,’ she said on Sky Sports. ‘It’s important we give it time, the club’s put a statement out and I understand the club’s working with the government to dissect the interpretation of that.
‘For all the questions everyone has, players, fans, staff, we have to give the club time to work through that.
Abramovich’s assets were frozen by the UK Government due to his link to Vladimir Putin
Hayes says she is now preparing to ‘navigate a difficult period’ for her Women team
‘From my end, I’m a leader of this team and we’re going to have to navigate a difficult period and one where I don’t have all the answers for it.
‘I have an amazing dressing room, amazing fans and amazing employees at the club that deserve the very best for us.’
Hayes was at least able to navigate her side through Thursday’s clash with West Ham, picking up a 4-1 Super League win at Victoria Road.
Chelsea Women forgot about the uncertainty surrounding the club and cruised past the Hammers, with goals from Niamh Charles, Sam Kerr and a Pernille Harder brace earning them victory.
