Roman Abramovich in "exile" over UK Visa

Chelsea Football Club owner Roman Abramovich has faced delays in renewing his UK visa, the BBC reported yesterday.

The Russian billionaire did not attend Saturday's FA Cup final at Wembley when the Blues beat Manchester United 1-0.

A source close to the 51-year-old suggested he was in the process of renewing his visa, and said it was taking a little longer than usual.

Asked about the visa, Security Minister Ben Wallace said: "We do not routinely comment on individual cases."

Mr Abramovich's office said it does not discuss personal matters with the media.

Reports suggest his investor visa expired three weeks ago.

The delay comes amid increased diplomatic tensions between London and Moscow after the poisoning of former Russian spy Sergei Skripal in Salisbury.

BBC home affairs correspondent, Daniel Sandford said Mr Abramovich appears to be able to run his businesses in Russia without significant interference from the Kremlin, suggesting that he is reasonably close to President Vladimir Putin.

But he said it was not clear if the delay in renewing his visa is in any way linked to the deterioration in relations between the two countries.

BBC