Complete coverage on

Roman Abramovich

Boris Berezovsky, the Russian oligarch and fierce Kremlin critic, has lost his $6.5bn lawsuit against fellow oligarch Roman Abramovich, the billionaire owner of Chelsea football club, after one of the most expensive court battles ever heard in Britain.

Latest Stories

SI.com: Ben Lyttleton: Five storylines for Chelsea in the Champions League finalupdated: Fri May 18 2012 11:41:00

Heading into Saturday's Champions League final against Bayern Munich, here are five storylines to watch for Chelsea.

FA Cup Final previewupdated: Sat May 05 2012 16:33:00

Who will win the FA Cup? Ian Rush and Marcel Desailly give us their predictions.

FA Cup success primes Chelsea for Champion League finalupdated: Sat May 05 2012 16:33:00

What started out as Chelsea's worst season since owner Roman Abramovich arrived in 2003 is now on the verge of becoming one of the English club's best.

When F1 meets football: Sauber joins forces with Chelsea FC updated: Mon Apr 30 2012 12:50:00

The mystery behind the peculiar inscriptions "Out of the Blue" and "True Blue" which first appeared on Sauber engine covers at the Chinese Grand Prix has finally been revealed.

Chelsea sack manager Villas-Boas after less than a year in chargeupdated: Tue Mar 06 2012 05:55:00

Chelsea sacked manager Andre Villas-Boas Sunday, citing poor results which threaten their participation in next season's Champions League.

Chelsea job 'hell' says former manager Scolari after Villas-Boas exit updated: Tue Mar 06 2012 05:53:00

Chelsea's sacking of Andre Villas-Boas came under fire Monday with former Blues boss Luis Felipe Scolari warning it will be "hell" for whoever succeeds the Portuguese at Stamford Bridge.

SI.com: Jonathan Wilson: Villas-Boas' exit falls in line with Chelsea's problematic philosophyupdated: Sun Mar 04 2012 21:46:00

"Rome wasn't built in a day," Brian Clough once said, "but then I wasn't on that particular job."

SI.com: Georgina Turner: Which way will dominoes tumble for Premier League managers?updated: Fri Mar 02 2012 16:20:00

It is tempting to look at the top half of the Premier League table and see rows of upright dominoes. At some point soon, one will teeter and tap its neighbor's shoulder, and then who knows how many, and which, will follow. What if Harry Redknapp takes the England job? (What if Spurs lose to Manchester United this weekend, and Arsenal beat Liverpool?) What if Chelsea does not get back into the Champions League places? What if Roman Abramovich sacks Andre Villas-Boas? What if he's the replacement? Why? When?

Football racism: Not Black & White act 3updated: Sat Feb 25 2012 18:15:00

Capped! - Viv Anderson becomes the first black player to represent England

Vital victories for Man City and Chelseaupdated: Sat Feb 25 2012 18:15:00

Roberto Mancini and Andre Villas-Boas have had sharply contrasting fortunes this season, but both managers celebrated vital victories in the English Premier League on Saturday.

Ancelotti questions Chelsea changesupdated: Fri Feb 24 2012 12:22:00

Carlo Ancelotti paid the ultimate price for failing to deliver trophies at Chelsea last season, being sacked by the English club's billionaire owner Roman Abramovich just hours after a defeat on the final day.

Juventus open new stadiumupdated: Wed Oct 05 2011 06:39:00

Italian giants Juventus celebrate the official opening of their new home.

Troubled waters? Chelsea's bid to leave Stamford Bridgeupdated: Wed Oct 05 2011 06:39:00

Roman Abramovich is seeking to buy back Chelsea's home ground in order to switch to a new location that he hopes will help the English Premier League club remain competitive on an international scale.

Royal superyachts: How kings and queens sail the seaupdated: Tue Aug 16 2011 14:05:00

Before luxury yachting was the preserve of Russian tycoons and Silicon Valley moguls, it was only the world's wealthiest royals who built palaces on the sea.

SI.com: Raphael Honigstein: Villas-Boas steps into a high-pressure environment at Chelseaupdated: Thu Jun 30 2011 11:17:00

LONDON -- André Villas-Boas' unveiling at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday morning might not have been the most spectacular press conference in Chelsea's recent history but it was certainly the longest. Weighing in at a hefty 75 minutes, the 33-year-old Villas-Boas' performance was long on charm and self-effacement and slightly short on hard facts.

Chelsea sack double-winning manager Ancelottiupdated: Sun May 22 2011 17:35:00

Carlo Ancelotti was sacked as Chelsea manager Sunday night after their 1-0 defeat to Everton in the final match of the English Premier League season.

SI.com: Peter Berlin: Five things we learned in the Premier Leagueupdated: Sun May 22 2011 16:10:00

Five things we learned from the final day's action in the Premier League:

SI.com: Gabriele Marcotti: Ancelotti's future at Chelsea up in the airupdated: Wed Apr 13 2011 16:22:00

The thing about Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is that very few people have heard him speak. Fewer still have heard him speak in a language they understand. And when Abramovich does speak, it's never in public or to the media. As for the people he employs to actually run Chelsea -- primarily club Chairman Bruce Buck and Chief Executive Ron Gourlay -- they talk very little and say even less.

Arsenal boss Wenger slams Chelsea's transfer spendingupdated: Wed Feb 02 2011 11:36:00

Chelsea's big spending on Europe's transfer deadline day has been criticized by one of the club's English rivals, who questioned how the Premier League champions can meet UEFA's new financial fair-play rules.

SI.com: Jonathan Wilson: Chelsea will need to tweak system to accomodate Drogba and Torresupdated: Tue Feb 01 2011 11:33:00

When Carlo Ancelotti arrived at Chelsea in summer 2009, he started off playing 4-4-2 with a midfield diamond. That paired Nicolas Anelka and Didier Drogba as strike partners, with Frank Lampard tucked behind. It rapidly became apparent that Lampard is far better played with the ball in front of him than playing with his back to goal.

SI.com: Jonathan Wilson: Uneasy feeling surrounds Chelseaupdated: Tue Nov 23 2010 10:57:00

So Carlo Ancelotti is staying at Chelsea, for now at least, and with the club sitting top of the Premier League talk of crisis at Stamford Bridge feels slightly hysterical. Even if there was no substance to the reports -- strongly denied -- that Ancelotti was ready to quit on Sunday evening, though, something is going on behind the scenes, a lead that stood at five points three weeks ago has disappeared and the weakness of the squad's structure has been exposed.

CNNMoney: A new contender for the world's largest yachtupdated: Mon Feb 08 2010 14:56:00

The mega yacht business has been slow since the economy soured, but at least one luxury shipbuilder appears to be betting on a rebound.

People.com: Lindsay Lohan Launches a Drama-Free 2010updated: Mon Jan 04 2010 13:24:00

The actress vows not to let detractors "tear me down" in the New Year

Portsmouth deny winding-up petitionupdated: Wed Dec 30 2009 16:20:00

English Premier League bottom side Portsmouth have denied being formally served with a winding up petition by the Inland Revenue -- in a statement released by the club.

Will this thing even float? The craziest boats on the oceansupdated: Tue Dec 01 2009 07:35:00

From catamarans made out of plastic bottles hoping to cross the Pacific Ocean to the recession-busting extravagance of billion-dollar superyachts, 2009 has been the year of crazy boats.

Platini plans war on football debtupdated: Fri Aug 28 2009 05:34:00

Michel Platini, the president of the governing body for European football (UEFA), has revealed plans to bring in new financial regulations to prevent clubs spending beyond their means in a bid to curb the debt within football.

Wealthy arm their yachts with military-level securityupdated: Mon Jul 13 2009 12:50:00

The world's richest people are spending millions arming their super-yachts with military-style technology and trained personnel to fight off potential attackers.

The renaissance of Russian footballupdated: Tue May 19 2009 12:46:00

When CSKA Moscow lifted the UEFA Cup in 2005, becoming the first Russian team to win a European trophy, manager Valeri Gazzaev described it as "a landmark victory for Russian football."

Fortune: Superyacht race lavish as everupdated: Thu Mar 26 2009 12:56:00

Marie Antoinette was no mistress of the high seas, but she'd probably feel quite welcome this weekend in the blue waters of the eastern Caribbean.

SI.com: The Limey: Can Hiddink rescue Chelsea and please Abramovich?updated: Fri Feb 20 2009 12:35:00

To our knowledge, Roman Abramovich has never sung Oops!... I Did It Again at karaoke while wearing a Britney Spears wig. But it would be apt, since the Chelsea owner hastily and mistakenly sacked a manager for the third time in 17 months.

On a Hiddink to nothing?updated: Tue Feb 17 2009 05:54:00

Few positions in world football carry with them such expectation of immediate success as the Stamford Bridge hotseat.

Abramovich spending $342 a minute on Chelseaupdated: Mon Feb 16 2009 09:27:00

Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich is spending more than £240 ($340) per minute on his London football club, Chelsea FC, fresh figures have revealed.

SI.com: World Soccer: Will credit crunch force Euro leagues into salary caps?updated: Fri Feb 13 2009 13:38:00

Michel Platini has been an eager advocate of the introduction of salary caps since his election as the president of UEFA. His idealism, as well as his power base among the smaller nations of Europe, makes him a natural supporter of a scheme that might reduce the power of the giant clubs of England, Italy and Spain, and allow many more teams a realistic chance of winning trophies.

Chelsea count cost of managerial sackingsupdated: Fri Feb 13 2009 08:57:00

Chelsea posted losses of £65.7 million ($93.91m) as they were left to count the cost of managerial departures.

Ancelotti -- I will not be leaving Milanupdated: Thu Feb 12 2009 10:58:00

AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti has told Chelsea he will not leave the Serie A club to join the Blues next season.

Chelsea cleared to talk with Hiddinkupdated: Tue Feb 10 2009 12:45:00

Chelsea said on Tuesday that they had been given permission to talk with Guus Hiddink about taking charge at the Premier League club until the end of the season.

Legend Scolari sacked as Chelsea managerupdated: Mon Feb 09 2009 14:33:00

Brazilian legend Luiz Felipe Scolari has been sacked as manager by Chelsea after "deteriorating" results and performances, the Premier League club announced on their Web site on Monday.

Football's Middle Eastern revolutionupdated: Tue Jan 27 2009 21:19:00

Mega-rich Middle Eastern investors are the latest wave of businessmen being linked with some of the biggest clubs in English soccer.

Debate: Will money buy City success?updated: Fri Jan 16 2009 06:45:00

The possible Manchester City purchase of Kaka for as much as £243 million ($363 million) has raised the bar when it comes to transfer fees in the international football market.

Chelsea's Abramovich loses rich-list statusupdated: Wed Jan 07 2009 12:46:00

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has lost his position at the top of football's rich list but David Beckham remains the wealthiest player.

Solar sails could turn super-yachts greenupdated: Thu Nov 06 2008 12:17:00

The super-yachts of the super-rich could soon become super-green.

Super-yacht market facing a stormupdated: Tue Nov 04 2008 07:26:00

The swanky and exclusive super-yacht market is bracing itself for a storm -- off the water.

The world's greatest super-yachtsupdated: Fri Oct 17 2008 12:56:00

At 160 meters long, there is nothing quite as luxurious as the world's largest and most expensive super-yacht -- Dubai.

SI.com: World Soccer: Scolari relishes his role as Chelsea's new managerupdated: Thu Sep 18 2008 13:07:00

World Soccer's Kevin Palmer catches up with new Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari.

SI.com: The Limey: English Premier League hits ground runningupdated: Fri Aug 22 2008 17:10:00

Team Limey, along with everyone else over in Blightly, has been riding the rare wave of British sporting success that the Olympics have brought. We were brought crashing back to reality watching the drab 2-2 draw between England and the Czech Republic, and contemplated turning your favorite net-based soccer column into a fortnightly update on the happenings of the U.K. cycling, swimming and rowing scenes.

Time.com: Soccer's Billion-Dollar Playersupdated: Sun Aug 03 2008 17:00:00

Winning is the key to financial success for the pro teams of Europe, and spending has become the key to winning. Thus are bubble economies made

Milan: No Chelsea bid for Kakaupdated: Tue Jul 22 2008 10:02:00

AC Milan have denied reports claiming that big-spending Chelsea have made an offer for the Italian club's Brazilian superstar Kaka.

SI.com: The Limey: One last look at the Champs final; thoughts on England-U.S.updated: Fri May 30 2008 15:19:00

The Champions League final: dramatic, riveting, emotional. So many interwoven tales -- of heroism and euphoria, of loss and heartache. One hundred and twenty minutes of pulsating soccer followed by a heart-in-mouth penalty shootout to decide it all.

Abramovich named as mystery $120M art buyerupdated: Mon May 19 2008 12:51:00

Two days, two modern art masterpieces, two record-breaking auction prices -- and one buyer: Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich.

A country mournsupdated: Mon May 19 2008 12:51:00

China begins three days of national mourning for victims of the earthquake.

SI.com: Gavin Hamilton: Will Capello withstand the pressures with England?updated: Tue Dec 18 2007 11:46:00

Fabio Capello is out to prove that the post of England national-team manager is not the impossible job so many people claim it to be.

New 2-year Russia deal for Hiddinkupdated: Wed Oct 10 2007 13:58:00

Dutchman Guus Hiddink has agreed to extend his stay as Russia coach by two years until after the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa.

SI.com: Gabriele Marcotti: The media's missing the point -- Mourinho had to goupdated: Thu Sep 27 2007 00:56:00

Fair warning: This is another José Mourinho and Chelsea column.

SI.com: The Limey: Mourinho's shock departure leaves Chelsea in chaosupdated: Wed Sep 26 2007 02:28:00

The soccer world was left spitting out its cornflakes when it switched on its TVs and radios on Thursday morning to hear the news that the Special One, José Mourinho, had left Chelsea. The enormity of the event was such that Mourinho's furrowed brow featured on the front page of most daily newspapers, and even provoked the British Prime Minister to comment.

SI.com: Gavin Hamilton: Chelsea soap opera leaves no doubt as to who rulesupdated: Mon Sep 24 2007 00:57:00

I'm resisting the temptation to scream "I told you so" from London's highest rooftop, but the recent events at Chelsea had a certain inevitability about them.

Why did Mourinho have to go?updated: Fri Sep 21 2007 12:20:00

Ego, power and politics. To understand Jose Mourinho's exit from Chelsea, it is necessary to embrace these three words and realize his dismissal was not a football decision.

Newsmaker: Jose Mourinhoupdated: Fri Sep 21 2007 08:29:00

The football world was rocked this week with the shock resignation on Wednesday evening of Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho.

'The Special One' exits stage leftupdated: Fri Sep 21 2007 04:39:00

Jose Mourinho was rarely out of the headlines during his three-years in charge of big-spending Chelsea, bringing success on the field and courting controversy off it with his colorful and often eccentric press conferences.

The Fan Zone Forumupdated: Thu Sep 20 2007 10:50:00

Your views and comments on the world of football.

SI.com: Jonah Freedman: World Power Rankings, the Double Dare editionupdated: Wed Sep 19 2007 23:44:00

We're comfortably settling into our 30s here in Rankingsville, and we've long realized life is a little more complicated than orange slices at halftime of our AYSO games, microwave burritos for lunch and occasionally bumming $5 off our dads.

Ronaldinho revives Barca's spiritsupdated: Wed Sep 05 2007 01:36:00

If any doubts over Ronaldinho's commitment to Barcelona still lingered, they ought to have been put to rest in the past few days.

CNNMoney: Private subs plumb deep pockets, deeper watersupdated: Thu Aug 02 2007 23:28:00

In the world of 150-foot yachts, private helicopters and lightening fast speedboats, there is a new toy so exclusive that buyers are actually invoking non-disclosure agreements.

SI.com: Gavin Hamilton: Is foreign ownership really about bettering the game?updated: Mon Jul 30 2007 02:26:00

It began with Roman Abramovich and his purchase of Chelsea in 2003. It continued with the controversial acquisition of Manchester United by the Glazer family in '05.

Chelsea revert to attacking styleupdated: Tue Jul 17 2007 02:03:00

The show of unity between Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho and billionaire owner Roman Abramovich this week confirmed one of last season's worse-kept secrets -- that the pair were barely on speaking terms for the majority of the season, a falling-out that arguably cost the London club any hopes of winning the Premier League for a third season in succession.

SI.com: World Soccer: Complex world of Chelsea owner Roman Abramovichupdated: Mon Jul 09 2007 00:14:00

Surely no group of consultants, assigned the task of designing an emblematic soccer manager for our ravenous media age, could have produced a marriage as perfect as the real-life soap opera that is Jos� Mourinho.

SI.com: Gabriele Marcotti: Soccer explodes on Fortunate 50's International 20updated: Thu May 31 2007 00:05:00

Last year, Michael Schumacher's numbers were positively Chamberlain-esque, a function of his longevity, ability and name recognition.

SI.com: Eye of the stormupdated: Fri May 18 2007 11:24:00

I finally have something in common with hundreds of thousands of Chelsea fans: I'm terribly disappointed in Andriy Shevchenko.

SI.com: For sale: the Premiershipupdated: Fri Apr 27 2007 13:46:00

With the wave of overseas billionaires acquiring England's greatest football clubs, a new era is beginning.

World's most expensive yachtupdated: Mon Mar 12 2007 11:25:00

The world's most expensive privately-owned yacht is being built in Genoa, Italy, the Sunday Telegraph reports. Known only as 'Hull 6154', the yacht measures 438ft, with seven decks, two helicopter pads and storage space for a submarine, and boasts a record-breaking price tag of £140 million. Its 60-strong crew will entertain guests in 15 state rooms fitted with the latest entertainment systems, gold and marble bathroom fittings and Jacuzzis. And if guests grow tired of the onboard delights, they can explore further afield using one of the yacht's five jet-skis or two speed boats.

Chelsea cut their losses to $156mupdated: Mon Feb 19 2007 04:55:00

English Premier League champions Chelsea recorded a pre-tax loss of 80.2 million pounds ($156.3 million) in the 2005/06 financial year, the club announced on Monday.

Cech close to making his comebackupdated: Sat Jan 13 2007 14:49:00

Czech Republic goalkeeper Petr Cech is poised to make his long-awaited comeback from serious injury, Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho said on Saturday.

Mourinho's moan fuels speculation updated: Thu Jan 11 2007 06:40:00

Jose Mourinho has fueled speculation about his future at Chelsea with veiled criticism of the club's board for failing to underwrite moves for new players in the January transfer window.

Abramovich to cut Chelsea spendingupdated: Sat Dec 23 2006 17:31:00

Big-spending Chelsea will cut down on buying players in future years, according to billionaire owner Roman Abramovich.

CNNMoney: Russian billionaire bids for Rosneft stakeupdated: Sat Jul 08 2006 13:00:00

Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich has placed a bid for a stake in Rosneft, giving a boost to the Russian oil group's planned initial public offering, the Financial Times newspaper said on Saturday.

Hiddink reveals Russia appointmentupdated: Mon Apr 10 2006 15:49:00

Guus Hiddink has revealed that he is almost certain to take over as coach of Russia after the World Cup finals.

The ultimate feastupdated: Tue Nov 22 2005 04:37:00

The world's most expensive meal.

Abramovich goal: Chelsea supremacyupdated: Fri Oct 21 2005 04:58:00

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has said he wants to turn the English football club into the most successful in the world.

Abramovich reaps Gazprom windfallupdated: Thu Sep 29 2005 05:03:00

It is being heralded as the biggest buyout in Russian corporate history.

Lyon chief agrees to Essien talksupdated: Fri Jul 29 2005 05:33:00

Chelsea appear to be closer to signing Ghana midfielder Michael Essien after Lyon president Jean-Michel Aulas revealed he had agreed to meet their owner Roman Abramovich next week.

United still world's richest clubupdated: Thu Feb 17 2005 03:22:00

Manchester United remain the richest club in football, as revenues from the game's top 20 teams heads towards the two billion pound ($3.78b) mark this year, a report showed Thursday.

Chelsea make record off-pitch lossupdated: Sun Jan 30 2005 10:24:00

Quadruple-chasing Chelsea have set an unwanted record off the pitch with record English football losses of 88 million pounds ($166 million) in 2003-04, their first season under the ownership of Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich.

Robben goal sees Chelsea progressupdated: Tue Nov 02 2004 14:33:00

Chelsea became the first club though to the knockout stage of the Champions league when they won 1-0 at CSKA Moscow.

Mourinho promises a quick deliveryupdated: Sat Sep 18 2004 09:31:00

Jose Mourinho vowed on Saturday that he would deliver the Premiership title to Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich long before his long-term contract is up.

UEFA to check Chelsea, CSKA linksupdated: Fri Aug 27 2004 05:55:00

UEFA will examine Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich's links with CSKA Moscow after the pair were drawn together in the first round of the Champions League.

Agents: Ranieri was misrepresentedupdated: Tue Apr 20 2004 06:16:00

Claudio Ranieri's agents says the Chelsea coach was misrepresented in an interview in which he criticized the club's owner Roman Abramovich.

Real concern as Beckham limps awayupdated: Tue Apr 20 2004 04:12:00

David Beckham gave Real Madrid a scare ahead of Sunday's clash with Barcelona at the Bernabeu when he quit training with tendinitis in his left knee.

Ranieri hailed as Chelsea march onupdated: Wed Apr 07 2004 06:55:00

For once Chelsea coach Claudio Ranieri could savor the headlines after his side eliminated London rivals Arsenal to reach the semifinals of the Champions League on Tuesday.

CSKA strike it rich with oil giantupdated: Wed Mar 17 2004 11:22:00

Russian champions CSKA Moscow signed a $54 million three-year sponsorship deal with oil giant Sibneft (SIBN.RTS) on Wednesday.

Eriksson plans to see out contractupdated: Sun Feb 15 2004 14:27:00

England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson has insisted that he will see out his contract.

We recommend