Abramovich resigns as Russian governor

Updated 12.10 Thu Jul 03 2008
Keywords: Chelsea Football, Russia, Abramovich

Roman Abramovich has stepped down from his post as a Russian regional governor.

The billionaire owner of Chelsea football club has had his resignation approved by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev.

The billionaire owner of Britain's Chelsea soccer club had his resignation approved by Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Thursday.

A presidential decree said Abramovich asked to be relieved of his duties as governor of the Chukotka Autonomous District, a sparsely populated Russian region near Alaska.

The 42 year old is ranked by Forbes magazine as Russia's second wealthiest businessman with a reputed wealth of £11.5 billion.

Russian media had reported in the past that Abramovich tried repeatedly to step down as governor but former President Vladimir Putin insisted he stay on.

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