Putin’s ‘crony’ and billionaire Chelsea owner Abramovich endures visa delay

Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich has yet to have his visa renewed by the Home Office after it expired last month.

The owner of Chelsea football club, previously named by the White House as a crony of President Vladimir Putin, was not at Wembley stadium to see his team lift the FA Cup on Saturday.

Mr Abramovich returned to Moscow last month after his investor visa ran out, according to two friends quoted by the Financial Times.

A third associate said his request for a new visa had not been denied, but the UK authorities were taking longer than usual to renew it without explaining the delay.

The 51-year-old was named Britain’s 13th wealthiest person with a worth of more than £9.3 billion, according to the Sunday Times Rich List.

He made his fortune in oil, along with stakes in the Aeroflot and an aluminium company.

The tycoon transformed Chelsea’s fortunes by heavily investing in the London club after he bought it in 2003.

He owns five homes around the world, large private yachts and collects valuable artwork.

The Home Office said it did not routinely comment on individual visa applications.