Chelsea director Eugene Tenenbaum sanctioned with asset freeze amid oligarchs clampdown
The Foreign Office said the frozen assets connected with the pair are estimated to total up to £10bn
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A director of Chelsea Football Club is one of two oligarchs the Foreign Office said it has sanctioned with an estimated £10 billion asset freeze, the largest in UK history.
The Government described the pair as “Russian oligarchs” and long-standing business associates of Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich.
The Foreign Office said Eugene Tenenbaum, a director of the west London club, has been sanctioned with an asset freeze alongside David Davidovich.
Mr Davidovich has been described as “Abramovich’s much lower profile right hand man”.
The Foreign Office said the frozen assets connected with the pair are estimated to total up to £10 billion, the largest asset freeze action in UK history.
It brings the total number of oligarchs, family members and associates sanctioned to 106 since the war in Ukraine started.
Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said: “We are tightening the ratchet on Putin’s war machine and targeting the circle of people closest to the Kremlin. We will keep going with sanctions until Putin fails in Ukraine. Nothing and no one is off the table.”
The Foreign Office said Mr Tenenbaum has described himself as one of Mr Abramovich’s closest business associates.
It said corporate filings show that he took control of Evrington Investments Limited, an Abramovich-linked investment company, on February 24 immediately following Russia invading Ukraine.
He is now subject to an asset freeze, the Government said.
Mr Davidovich took over Evrington Investments from Mr Tenenbaum in March, the Foreign Office said.
Mr Davidovich is now subject to an asset freeze and travel ban.