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Russian billionaire Abramovich runs into UK visa issues

Posted May 21, 2018 7:00 am

By NATALIYA VASILYEVA

MOSCOW (AP) - Many wondered why Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich wasn't in the stands to see his Chelsea soccer club win England's FA Cup this weekend, and an associate confirmed Monday that his British visa hasn't been renewed.

An associate of Abramovich, who spoke only on condition that he not be identified further because he was not authorized to comment publicly, told The Associated Press that Abramovich's visa renewal application is taking longer than usual, saying it is unclear why.

Britain recently pledged to review long-term visas of rich Russians in the aftermath of the poisoning of a Russian former spy and his daughter.

Abramovich's visa troubles were first reported Sunday by the Russian media outlet The Bell. It quoted two unnamed sources as saying his British visa expired last month.

FILE - In this Sunday, May 24, 2015 file photo Chelsea's Russian billionaire owner Roman Abramovich, center, applauds after Chelsea were presented with the Premier League trophy after the English Premier League soccer match between Chelsea and Sunderland at Stamford Bridge stadium in London. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) The Associated Press

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