Ex-Chelsea owner Abramovich key to release of five Britons held by Russian-backed forces: He's a legend | OneFootball

Former Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich was key to assisting five Britons getting released from captivity by Russian-backed forces this week.

One of the five said that Abramovich welcomed them onto their flight out of Russia.

In an interview with The Sun, John Harding said Abramovich identified himself to Shaun Pinner, while Harding spoke to Abramovich's assistant who said the Russian had played a “key part" in their release.

It is understood Harding was set free on Wednesday alongside Pinner, Aiden Aslin, Dylan Healy and Andrew Hill, landing in Britain in the early hours of Thursday morning.

“Shaun was chatting away to him about football for a long time and I was speaking to his assistant," Harding told The Sun.

“She said Roman had played a key part in getting us back. It's quite extraordinary to think he was involved — and I wouldn't have even been able to tell you who he was by looking at him.

“He's well respected by Ukrainians and massively by us now, too — he's done a hell of a lot for us and we couldn't thank him enough.

“He was a sound bloke, a really lovely guy. He's a legend — we absolutely love him and I'm so grateful for his efforts."