Chelsea's shirt sponsor, the telecom brand, Three, has placed its £40 million deal with the Blues under review after the UK Government sanctioned the club's owner, Roman Abramovich.
Abramovich will be subject to an asset freeze and travel ban, under the terms of the sanction, which was announced by Prime minister Boris Johnson, this morning.
The news has immediately thrown Chelsea's future– including the club's extensive sponsorship arrangements - into doubt.
Analysts are warning other sponsors will quickly follow Three and review their involvement with the club, hoping to avoid 'guilt by association' with a Russian oligarch accused of making financial gain from his relationship with President Vladimir Putin.