Roman Abramovich launches defamation proceedings over Putin’s People book
Roman Abramovich has launched legal proceedings against “false or misleading statements” in the book Putin’s People he believes are damaging both his reputation and Chelsea.
The Stamford Bridge club owner has filed a defamation suit
against both publishers HarperCollins and author Catherine Belton.
Belton’s book Putin’s People includes claims from Sergei
Pugachev that Abramovich bought Chelsea in 2003 on the personal orders of
Russia’s president Vladimir Putin.
After months of unproductive discussions with HarperCollins
the 54-year-old billionaire Abramovich has taken the rare step of fighting that
and a number of other claims in court.
In a statement released to the PA news agency, Abramovich
explained the harm he considers allegations in Belton’s book have caused him,
both personally and in his role as Chelsea chief.
“Today my legal representatives have issued legal
proceedings in England in relation to a book that was published in the UK,”
said Abramovich.
“The book contains a number of false and defamatory
statements about me, including about my purchase, and the activities, of
Chelsea Football Club.
“Today’s action was not taken lightly. It has never been my
ambition to gain a public profile and I have always been reluctant to provide
commentary on any matters, including any false or misleading statements about
me or Chelsea Football Club.
“However, it has become clear that the false allegations in
this book are having a damaging effect, not only on my personal reputation, but
also in respect of the activities of Chelsea Football Club.”
Russian Billionaire Pugachev claimed in the High Court in
2018 that Putin had ordered Abramovich to purchase Chelsea.
Pugachev’s witness statements were branded “self-serving”
and “impossible to believe” by Mrs Justice Rose, in his dispute with JSC
Mezhdunarodniy Promyshlenniy Bank.
Pugachev went on to lose the High Court case, but his
allegations about Abramovich and Chelsea were repeated in interviews for the
2020 book Putin’s People.
“My objective has been to avoid a legal case and my legal
team has engaged with the publishers to try to find an amicable resolution,”
continued Abramovich’s statement.
“We have provided them with detailed information addressing
the various false allegations about me in the book, including the repetition of
allegations that have already been held to be false in the English High Court
during previous legal proceedings.
“Unfortunately, these engagements were not successful, and
the publisher has not corrected the false statements in the book.
“On the subject of Chelsea Football Club, in contrast to the
portrayal in the book, my ambition with Chelsea Football Club has always been
to create world-class teams on the pitch and to ensure the club plays a
positive role in all of its communities.
“I believe our successes and activities over the years speak
for themselves, including the trophies won, expansion of the Chelsea Academy,
development of the Women’s team and the Chelsea Foundation becoming the largest
charitable organisation within the Premier League.
“It is my hope that today’s action will not only refute the
false allegations in regard to my own name, but also serve as a reminder of
Chelsea’s positive footprint in the UK.
“I have every belief that the courts will give me a fair
hearing, as they have in the past.”
Abramovich has also objected to further claims in Belton’s
book, from late Russian oligarch Boris Berezovsky.
Abramovich won a major court case against Berezovsky in
2012, with claims dismissed that the Chelsea owner had intimidated his former
business associate into selling shares in oil company Sibneft.
Berezovsky had been described by the court as an “inherently
unreliable” witness.
Lawyers Harbottle and Lewis explained the action has been
brought due to “false and defamatory claims” that Abramovich had been involved
in corruption, as well as the allegations around the motivation for purchasing
Chelsea.
“We have today issued legal proceedings for defamation on
behalf of our client Roman Abramovich,” reads a Harbottle and Lewis statement.
“The legal proceedings relate to a number of false and
defamatory claims made about our client in the book ‘Putin’s People’ published
by HarperCollins.
“The book falsely alleges that our client has acted
corruptly, and makes false claims about our client’s purchase, and the
activities, of Chelsea Football Club. “Such claims are totally unacceptable and
are without foundation.
“In view of the legal proceedings issued we will not be
making a further statement at this time.”
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