Funds from Roman Abramovich’s sale of Chelsea Football Club have earned at least £175 million in interest while remaining frozen in a UK bank account, according to newly released financial accounts. The money, which initially totaled £2.35 billion, has grown to nearly £2.5 billion, thanks to accumulated interest. Abramovich, a Russian billionaire and former owner of Chelsea, was sanctioned by the UK in 2022 due to his close ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin. He had previously pledged to donate the proceeds from the sale to victims of the war in Ukraine. However, the money remains locked in a Barclays account amid a legal dispute with the British government over how it should be used. The situation is further complicated by a criminal investigation in Jersey, where authorities are examining the original source of Abramovich’s wealth. This includes potential ties to corruption and money laundering. Additionally, there is uncertainty about whether £1.4 billion in loans—used to fund Chelsea’s operations through a network of offshore companies—will be deducted from the total amount available for donation. The interest on the funds has been growing rapidly, with £114 million earned in 2024 alone and nearly £63 million the year before. Given that the accounts only cover up to June 2024, the total interest is likely to be even higher now. Football finance expert Stefan Borson, head of sport at McCarthy Denning, noted that the interest earned on the funds makes this the most profitable football-related business in the world, highlighting the contrast with the typically unprofitable nature of high-spending football clubs. However, the exact progress on distributing the funds remains unclear. The UK government has stated that the money must be used for humanitarian causes in Ukraine, a commitment Abramovich has yet to fulfill. He has reportedly considered donating the money to a foundation with a broader global focus, which could conflict with the government’s wishes. The future of the donation is also unclear due to the £1.4 billion loan from Abramovich’s offshore company, Camberley International Investment. Repaying this loan would require a license from the Office for Financial Sanctions Implementation, as Abramovich remains under UK sanctions. Meanwhile, Jersey prosecutors are investigating whether the proceeds from the Chelsea sale are linked to criminal activity, including the sale of Abramovich’s oil and gas company, Sibneft, which the Russian government acquired for $13 billion in 2005. The Guardian has contacted Abramovich’s lawyers for comment, but a response has not yet been provided.