'One man is really responsible and that’s Vladimir Putin'
Jurgen Klopp has backed the UK Government's decision to sanction Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich due to his close ties with Russian president Vladimir Putin.
Abramovich was
sanctioned by the government on Thursday, with the 55-year-old one of several high-profile Russians with interests in the UK named in a government report, which has seen all of their assets frozen.
While the Blues are still able to operate under a special license which runs until May 31, the club is
not allowed to sell tickets, merchandise or buy and sell players.
The Russian billionaire
announced that he had put the west London club up for sale last week, and he may still be able to sell the club as long as he doesn't benefit financially.
It is also thought that the Blues - who pay out a staggering £28million a month in wages -
could go bust in just 17 days and will 'beg' the Government to ease sanctions on them, with the most recent accounts showing reserves of £16million.
https://twitter.com/footballdaily/status/1502246305720152069
Reacting to the situation at Stamford Bridge, Liverpool boss Klopp said: "Thomas [Tuchel] and I know each other but we are not that close that we chat around the games yes but not in other moments.
"For him and the players and all the employees at Chelsea it’s not something they are responsible for what is happening around them.
"One man is really responsible and that’s Vladimir Putin.
"I don’t know about Roman Abramovich’s role in these kinds of things but over the years you could guess maybe he is pretty close.
"I think what the British government did was right to be 100 per cent honest but it is still not cool for all the people at Chelsea and the supporters, I get that but I think the things the government did was right."
Canada has also
imposed sanctions on five Russian individuals including Abramovich, Prime Minister Justin confirmed on Friday.
