Shirt sponsor Three suspends partnership with Chelsea after owner is sanctioned by government

The state of English Premier League club Chelsea was thrown into disarray Thursday when owner Roman Abramovich was added to the United Kingdom's list of sanctioned Russian oligarchs for his alleged ties to President Vladimir Putin amid Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine that has sparked outrage throughout much of Europe and the world. 

Later in the day, telecommunications company and Chelsea shirt sponsor Three announced it was suspending its deal with the club that ESPN's James Olley reports is worth £40 million ($52.4 million) per year. 

"In light of the government's recently announced sanctions, we have requested Chelsea Football Club temporarily suspend our sponsorship of the club, including the removal of our brand from shirts and around the stadium until further notice," Three said in a statement shared by media outlets. 

"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.

"As a mobile network, the best way we can support the people of Ukraine is to ensure refugees arriving in the UK from the conflict and customers currently in Ukraine can stay connected to the people who matter to them. Therefore, we are offering connectivity packages to all Ukrainians in the UK, and those in Ukraine."

As a result of this development, Chelsea were left without a shirt sponsor for Thursday's league match versus Norwich City at Carrow Road. Hyundai and Zapp are also reportedly "reviewing their relationships" with Chelsea, as are other business partners. 

Abramovich previously agreed to sell Chelsea and to "set up a charitable foundation where all net proceeds from the sale will be donated," but Olley reports that can now only happen if he does not "benefit from the sale of the club while he remains subject to sanction." Chelsea also cannot sign new players, agree to new deals with existing players, sell new tickets for future matches or operate their club shop under the sanctions.