Modern sport has become a highly commercialized enterprise, with ownership of football clubs often in the hands of individuals who have no connection to the country in which they are based. Russian oligarchs or businessmen joined the fight for club ownership and acquired teams around the world.
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich was the most recent example. Since 2003, Chelsea has been owned by Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich, but following recent sanctions he is close to relinquishing ownership of the club. Yet here are the other European football teams owned by Russian oligarchs, billionaires and businessmen.
1. Botev Plovdiv
Botev is a Bulgarian club that competes in the country's top Parva league. The 110-year-old club has a long and proud history, competing for and winning numerous national titles. In recent years, the club has had to face financial crises and several acquisitions. Last year, in July, the club was bought by Russian businessman Anton Zingarevich. He is remembered as the former owner of English club Reading FC.
2. Vitesse Arnhem
Vitesse is a Dutch club that competes in the Eredivisie. It is one of the oldest professional football clubs in the Netherlands and was founded on May 14, 1892. Vitesse Arnhem is not only one of the great old clubs in the country, but it has also been reasonably successful over the years. Arnhem changed hands a few times, becoming the first foreign team. In 2013, Russian businessman Alexander Tsjigirinski bought the club from Merab Jordania. In 2016, Russian oligarch Valeriy Oyf became the majority shareholder and new owner of Vitesse.
3. AS Monaco
Monaco is a French Ligue 1 club currently owned by Russian billionaire and investor Dmitry Rybolovlev. Dmitry became the majority owner and president of Monaco in 2011 after acquiring a 66% stake in the club through a foundation acting on behalf of his daughter Ekaterina. Since the takeover, Monaco have stabilized somewhat and even had famous success in the UEFA Champions League, reaching the semi-finals a few years ago.
4. Circle Bruges
Cercle is a Belgian club based in the city of Bruges. They were founded 123 years ago and have played in the Belgian 1st and 2nd leagues several times. Unfortunately, De Vereniging ran into financial difficulties in early 2010, which eventually led to its acquisition by French Ligue 1 club AS Monaco in 2016, meaning that its chairman, Russian businessman Dmitry Rybolovlev, is also an owner. from Cercle.
5. AFC Bournemouth
The English Championship club, recently promoted back to the EPL, is owned by Russian businessman Maxim Demin, who bought part of the club in 2011. Although Maxim bought the club with Eddie Mitchell as co-owner, he is now the majority shareholder.
6. Sydney FC
Sydney FC is one of Australia's leading professional football clubs. It is based in Sydney, New South Wales and competes in the Men's A-League. The club was founded in 2004 and is the most successful football club in Australian history, having won five championships and four premierships in the A-League.
Russian businessman David Traktovenko is the current owner of Sydney FC, having taken ownership of the club in 2009. However, it was reported that he stepped down as owner of the club in March 2022, leaving it to his daughter Alina and his son-in-law Scott Barlow.
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