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Abramovich suffers from unverifed police reports

Roman Abramovich, Chelsea's owner, has been denied Swiss residency after the authorities there responded to unverified police reports. An injunction preventing publication of a leaked police report has only just been lifted.

The report alleged that 'Mr Abramovich was known for suspected money laundering and contacts with criminal organisations' [in Russia]. It added, 'We consider his presence in Switzerland to be a threat to public safety and a risk to Switzerland's reputation.' That is saying something given the scandals that have touched the Alpine state in the past, although it has made real efforts to clean up its act.

Mr Abramovich applied in 2016 to live in the ski resort of Verbier in the canton of Valais where he was welcomed with open arms by local officials. They negotiated a lump sum tax payment with him. The application was halted after the state secretariat for migration asked for the police report.

Mr Abramovich denies any wrongdoing and has never been indicted in Switzerland or any other jurisdiction: No evidence to support defamatory allegations

Earlier this year he withdrew his application to renew his British visa after a delay apparently prevented him from travelling to the UK for Chelsea's victory over Manchester United in the FA Cup final.

He has since taken Israeli citizenship, according to Israeli media. Israel grants all Jews who move to the state citizenship under its law of return. Israeli passport holders can travel to the UK for a visit without a visa, but Russians cannot.

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