Report: Roman Abramovich's lawyer has said any suggestion that the Chelsea owner has been involved in money laundering or has contacts with criminal organisations is "entirely false" after it was reported that he was denied residency in Switzerland in 2016 amid allegations of both.
Abramovich applied to live near the ski resort of Verbier, but the country's federal police (Fedpol) advised immigration officials to reject the application on the grounds that he represented a threat to public security and the country's reputation, documents seen by media company Tamedia show.
The Zurich company fought an 18-month legal battle to publish the documents.
Abramovich -- who has never been indicted in Switzerland or anywhere else -- has denied the allegations, and lawyer Daniel Glasl indicated that he would file a criminal complaint.
"We are extremely disappointed by the release and publication of confidential information from Swiss government files regarding Mr Abramovich, which occurred in clear violation of Swiss criminal law and Swiss data protection laws," Glasl said in a statement received by ESPN.
"We have filed a request for correction of facts to the Swiss Federal Police and will be filing a criminal complaint against unknown persons responsible for dissemination of this confidential information.
"Any suggestion that Mr Abramovich has been involved in money-laundering or has contacts with criminal organisations is entirely false."
Abramovich withdrew his residency application in June last year when he was informed that it was due to be rejected. His legal team wrote to Fedpol in November to demand a correction but the request was turned down.
A tribunal in Zurich issued an order preventing the press from publishing any details in February, but the order was overturned on appeal and on Friday a federal court ruled in favour of Tamedia's right to report on the background of the case.
The private Fedpol documents show that a "suspicion of money-laundering" and "contacts to criminal organisations" were at the centre of police objections to Abramovich's application.
"Mr Abramovich has never been charged with participating in money-laundering and does not have a criminal record," Glasl said.
"He has never had, or been alleged to have, connections with criminal organisations. Fedpol has failed to provide any evidence of criminality whatsoever.
"Mr Abramovich has submitted to numerous thorough background checks by governments and business partners over the years, and such unsubstantiated allegations have never been at issue."
Fedpol declined to comment on the specifics of the case when contacted by ESPN.
Earlier this year, Abramovich found himself unable to visit the UK after the government declined to renew his Tier-1 investor visa amid heightened political tension with Russia.
Abramovich responded by acquiring Israeli citizenship, though the UK government has said he cannot work if he visits the country on his new passport.
Sources told ESPN FC that his commitment to Chelsea was unwavering after the Sunday Times reported that he was exploring selling the club.
Well none of that sounds good for Mr. Abramovich. There could be nothing here as it doesn’t seem like there really is any proof of money laundering or his ties to criminal organizations. It sounds like it’s just accusations at this time but if it ever develops into anything more than this could mean serious trouble for not just the Russian but also for Chelsea.
Abramovich has owned Chelsea since 2003 and they easily have experienced their greatest run of success in England and Europe under his ownership. He at one time was the biggest reason that transfer fee’s skyrocketed as there was no price he wouldn’t pay for the players he wanted. Known for his quick trigger finger when it comes to his managers, he has always been one to make changes as soon as he sees fit.
Before Roman arrived Chelsea had won the league one time, 50 years prior to his second season in charge when they won it for the second time. Since then they’ve won the Premier League an additional five times and finished as runner ups four times. They also have won both the Europa League and the Champions League.
You would think none of this drama is going to affect Chelsea on the field and ruin their pretty great start to the season. As the report says he was denied entry in to England at the start of the season and that hasn’t done anything to stop Chelsea from experiencing success under new manager Maurizio Sarri.
What is going to be interesting is if this does force him to truly be interested in selling the club. New owners always mean new changes, and that doesn’t always mean improvements or positive changes. Right now Chelsea is playing phenomenally and sitting in third due to goal differential with Manchester City. Who knows what a shake up could do.
It all depends on where he gets tried if any of this is true and actually progresses to that but 14 years jail time is the max penalty for money laundering in England, and it seems similar in Russia. Who knows what is going to actually happen but this might be getting worse for Roman before it gets better.
