Abramovich denies a U-turn on Blues debt

ROMAN Abramovich denied last night that he will U-turn on his promise to write off the £1.6billion he is owed by Chelsea. The government feared the Russian would try to get the money back when the club is sold, which is likely at the end of the month. As part of the sanctions on Abramovich, he is not allowed to profit from the sale. Last night, he rejected claims that he had asked for £500million more for the club at the 11th hour. A spokesperson for him said: ‘Mr Abramovich has not asked for any loan to be repaid to him — such suggestions are entirely false.’