Britain: Russian tycoon R. Abramovich's visa not renewed

The British authorities - whose relations with Russia are now at a standstill - have not yet renewed the visa of Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich, while its validity expired last month, sources informed the news agency Reuters.

Abramovich, known in Britain mainly because he is the owner of the Chelsea football team that plays in the Premier League, asked for his residence permit to be renewed following the usual procedure, a source said.

The process takes longer than usual, but there is no indication that it will not be renewed, as the tycoon has not been confronted with any denial or indications of this from the British authorities, the same source clarified.

Millhouse, the company that manages Abramovich's estate, declined to comment. A spokesman for the British Home Office was not immediately available for comment.

Abramovich, who made a fortune in the oil business in Russia in the 1990s and bought Chelsea in 2003, was not present as usual in Saturday's Cup final, in which his team beat Manchester United to win the trophy. It is not clear where he currently resides.

Relations between London and Moscow have been at their worst for decades since the British government accused Russian intelligence of poisoning former Russian double agent Sergei Skripal in March and deporting him - as dozens of other Western countries have done - dozens of Russians. . Russia has denied the allegations in a statement issued Friday stating "Similar, baseless allegations concerning Russia's intelligence have been made more than once.

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