Tension grips Chelsea as trustees threaten to resign after Abramovich handed over club control

Chelsea have been plunged into chaos after some of the trustees charged with taking control of the club from Roman Abramovich threatened to stand down, according to reports.

The Russian billionaire owner, 55, handed stewardship of the Blues to the six-strong charitable group over the weekend.

Chairman Bruce Buck, women’s manager Emma Hayes, John Devine, Sir Hugh Robertson, Paul Ramos and Piara Powar make up the group.

According to the BBC, via The Sun, members of new leadership met on Sunday to discuss the situation.

And Abramovich’s plan may now be on the brink of collapse after The Telegraph claimed ‘some of the trustees could quit their post’ amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

On Monday, reports claimed Abramovich was trying to broker peace between Russia and Ukraine following last week’s invasion and the ongoing war.

Despite that, the Telegraph states Chelsea’s trustees are set for more meetings this week and that some ‘may not remain in place’.

The report claims at least TWO of the six ‘have raised concerns privately amid suggestions they will be compromised’.

It also reveals ‘individual issues of conflict of interest have been voiced as well as wider worries over whether running a football club as part of the foundation could be compatible with charity law’.

Should some of the trustees step away from the role, Chelsea will either continue with the plan without them as a smaller group, replace those who leave or scrap the plan and re-think entirely.

Last week, Abramovich released a statement revealing he would take a step back for the sake of the club.