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'The fact that you can't buy a match programme must mean that Putin is s****** himself': Former Chelsea owner Ken Bates slams sanctions imposed on the club as he claims 'it is the ordinary people who are suffering'

Ken Bates has never been one to mince words and the former Chelsea owner is forthright in his condemnation of the Government sanctions imposed on the club.

While the outspoken former football executive agrees with the decision to freeze the most famous of Roman Abramovich’s assets, Bates is furious that Chelsea fans and staff have been forced to suffer too, with tickets sales frozen, club facilities shut and jobs said to be at risk.

He cannot fathom what meaningful impact such measures could exert on Vladimir Putin and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.