Chelsea halts stadium plans in latest Abramovich uncertainty
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LONDON -- The uncertainty surrounding Roman Abramovich's ownership of Chelsea deepened Thursday when the Premier League club abruptly halted plans to build a new stadium, citing financial issues.
The announcement comes after it emerged the Russian billionaire was yet to have his British visa renewed amid a crackdown by authorities on associates of Russian President Vladimir Putin. Chelsea is yet to comment on the future at the Premier League club for Abramovich, who this week flew into Israel to receive Israeli citizenship.
The statement announcing the suspension of the Stamford Bridge redevelopment project pointed to challenges raising cash to cover the building of a 60,000-seat stadium. Planning approval had already been received from local authorities to replace the existing 41,000-capacity venue on the west London site but the club says it has "put its new stadium project on hold."
