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Featured Image Credit: PA/GB News
Topics: Gary Neville, Roman Abramovich, Chelsea, Football
Nasir Jabbar
Topics: Gary Neville, Roman Abramovich, Chelsea, Football
Gary Neville has ruthlessly mocked Nigel Farage after he defended the outgoing Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich.
Farage showed his support for Abramovich, who has been sanctioned by the UK government.
The billionaire, 55, has been the subject of intense criticism as a result of his reported links with Vladimir Putin, which he has strongly denied.
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But Farage has backed Abramovich, claiming that the UK government are 'turning oligarchs against Putin'.
Speaking on GB News, he explained: "The reason that has been given is that he has ties to Vladimir Putin - he himself rejects that.
"Either way, I am beginning to ask myself a question. What are we trying to do?
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"I guess what we're doing is we're trying to turn the rich Russian oligarchs against President Putin. That is the game that I think the government is engaged in.
"And yet, is it right to effectively seize people’s assets without any form of due process? Would it really turn Russians against Vladimir Putin? I'm concerned about the way in which this is being done, and of course it includes Chelsea Football Club.
"Abramovich has owned Chelsea since 2003 and they've won about 20 major titles in that time. He'd already said - and my guess was he said it to try and avoid being sanctioned - that the club was up for sale.
"He'd already said that his £1.5billion loan didn't want to be returned and that any profits from the sale would go into a fund to help victims of the war in Ukraine.
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"But nevertheless they've gone ahead, plunging Chelsea into chaos."
Neville, who has been vocal in his condemnation of Abramovich, wasted no time in replying to Farage's extraordinary rant - calling him a 'loon' on social media.
He tweeted: "I’m not telling you anything you don’t already know but I have the urge to tweet that Nigel Farage is an absolute loon! Have a good day."
The UK government sanctions on Abramovich include asset freezes and travel bans.
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Chelsea cannot sell any more tickets for games, its clubs store will be closed and it will be unable to buy or sell players.
The Stamford Bridge outfit have a special license that allows them to fulfil their fixtures, with existing season ticket holders still able to attend matches.