Sanctioned Chelsea are bizarrely awarded as the world's 'Football Club with the BEST REPUTATION' for 'promoting PEACE' last year, despite the government saying Russian owner Roman Abramovich 'has the blood of Ukrainian people on his hands'

Chelsea have bizarrely been named the winner of a prestigious Football Reputation award, despite Roman Abramovich's long-term links to the Russian regime.

Abramovich and the Blues have been under sanctions from the UK Government since early March, a couple of weeks after Vladimir Putin ordered Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

In a statement announcing the sanctions against Abramovich, the Government claimed the oligarch's links with Putin have been long-standing, stating: "Abramovich is associated with a person who is/has been involved in destabilising Ukraine & undermining/threatening territorial integrity, sovereignty & independence of Ukraine, namely Vladimir Putin, with whom (he) has had close relationship for decades.