Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich announced that he has given the Chelsea Foundation Board of Trustees the responsibility of managing the English Premier League club on Saturday.
This decision means that the Russian billionaire has temporarily resigned from the club's management, after increasing pressure on him due to the Russian war on Ukraine, in light of statements indicating that the club's members are on high alert about the possibility of selling the club.
Abramovich, who bought the London club in 2003, said the foundation was "in the best position to manage the interests" of the club.
"I have always viewed my role as a responsible goalkeeper for the club, and my job is to ensure we achieve similar success to where we are today, build for the future, and play a positive role in our community," he added in a statement.
"I have constantly been making decisions that are in the best interest of the club. I remain committed to these values."
Neither Abramovich nor Chelsea has disclosed why management responsibility has been given to the charity.
Several Russian personalities and companies were subjected to sanctions from British Prime Minister Boris Johnson after Russia invaded Ukraine last Thursday, and Abramovich has not been subjected to any sanctions so far.
Pressure has escalated on the Russian authorities, who are facing a series of successive sanctions due to the invasion of Ukraine, and the sanctions have targeted companies and personalities close to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Abramovich is among those close to the Russian president, and his name has not yet been included in the list of persons covered by the sanctions, but he has not lost sight of various statements in Britain asking its owners to target the Russian billionaire.
Chris Bryant, a member of Britain's opposition Labor Party, told the House of Commons this week that Abramovich should not be allowed to own an English club.