Roman Abramovich's attempt to sell Chelsea has been halted after the pro-Kremlin oligarch was sanctioned by the UK government as part of its response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The news prompted an outpouring of emotions from fans of other teams including Arsenal after the Gunners played by the rules only to see the west Londoners pick up a raft of trophies through dubious Russian money. 

The Russian billionaire put the West London outfit up for sale after the threat of sanctions was raised in Parliament.

The freezing of Abramovich's assets, which include Chelsea, means the club cannot sell further match tickets, which also has ramifications for Arsenal supporters, who will now be unable to attend the fixture at Stamford Bridge, which is still to be arranged. 

The club are no longer permitted to transfer or loan players, while broadcast and prize money is also frozen.

On Thursday lunchtime, the official Chelsea club shop was forced to close.

However, despite the sanctions Chelsea can still continue to play fixtures and are permitted to have 'reasonable travel costs' to and from games up to a maximum of £20,000. Fans at games will still be able to buy food and drink.

The move is intended to stop Abramovich making money from Chelsea.

Discussions continue between the Treasury, the Premier League and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. One source said: “The primary thing today is about taking action on oligarchs with close ties to the Kremlin. We’re working through some of those wider implications at the moment.”

Earlier, the government issued a special licence allowing games to be fulfilled, staff to be paid and existing ticket-holders to attend matches.

Chelsea have said they 'intend to engage in discussions' with the government and will seek amendments to the special licence to 'allow the club to operate as normal as possible'.

Chelsea blindsided - 'chaos'

The club were blindsided by the timing of the government’s decision and there has been some alarm among players and their agents.

One dressing-room source described the situation as 'chaos' and said people feared the club could enter administration.

Chelsea will be unable to buy or sell players, or offer new contracts, while the sanctions are imposed on Abramovich. 

The men’s team have three first-team players whose deals are will end this summer: César Azpilicueta, Antonio Rüdiger and Andreas Christensen. Five women’s players – Ann-Katrin Berger, Maren Mjelde, Jonna Andersson, Ji So-yun and Drew Spence – are also set to leave at the end of this campaign.

Chelsea-owned players who are on loan at other clubs will be able to continue to play for those clubs.

Sponsors start to leave

Abramovich has propped the Blues up for two decades and prospective buyers may get a shock once they take a look at the club's financial accounts.

In the meantime, Chelsea's shirt sponsor, telecommunications company Three, has requested that the Blues "temporarily suspend" its deal with the club.

Three has asked for 'the removal of our brand from shirts and around the stadium until further notice'.

The company added: "We recognise that this decision will impact the many Chelsea fans who follow their team passionately.

"However, we feel that given the circumstances, and the government sanction that is in place, it is the right thing to do."

"Once you start digging down into what this could do - yes, they can play their games but will they even be able [to]?" former Chelsea winger Pat Nevin told the BBC World Football podcast.

"Massive amounts of questions but yes, it's not hyperbole to say the future of the club is in serious danger."