The government announced sanctions against Chelsea boss Roman Abramovich after the Russians recently announced plans to hear offers from Premier League clubs.
Chelsea face an uncertain future after government Roman Abramovich was added to its list of sanctioned individuals.
The most immediate impact involved the sale of the club, which the Russian proposed was shelved because his assets were frozen.
Abramovich issued a statement confirming his plans for a sale, one of which came from a consortium led by American businessman Todd Boehly, but a sale had not been announced before the government took action.
The Blues will be allowed to continue to play, a government spokesman said: "Given the significant impact that today's sanctions will have on Chelsea Football Club and the potential knock-on effect, the government issued a licence this morning authorizing a number of football-related activities to continue at Chelsea.
However, the impact on fans is already being felt, with the club temporarily banning the sale of match tickets.
"Today's sanctions clearly have a direct impact on Chelsea and their fans," said Nadin Doris, Minister for Culture, Media and Sport.
"We have been working hard to ensure that clubs and national teams are not unnecessarily harmed by these important sanctions.
"In order to ensure that the club can continue to compete and operate, we are issuing a special permit that allows the completion of the fixtures, the payment of staff and existing ticket holders to participate in the competition, and, crucially, the deprivation of Abramovich from his ownership of the club.
"I know this brings some uncertainty, but the government will work with the league and clubs to continue to play football while ensuring sanctions hit those expected." Football clubs are cultural assets and the cornerstone of our community. We are committed to protecting them.
While Chelsea were allowed to continue playing, the measures meant they were not allowed to sell more games tickets.
This means that season tickets can still be played at Stamford Bridge, but tickets to the home stadium will not be available for purchase. The already sold gate note letter remains valid, and a report by The New York Times' Tariq Panja suggests that away fans are likely to be allowed through the gate.
It is believed that food and beverage purchases within the stadium are not affected by these changes, even if restrictions are imposed on who is allowed to participate in the competition.
As The Times's Steven Swinford reports, "Clubs can pay for players and staff, pay for travel to and from the game =, pay directors' fees and pay for security, catering and management – but that's about it".
It is unclear how the restrictions will affect FA Cup ticket sales if London beat Middlesbrough in the quarter-finals and reach the semi-finals at the neutral Wembley Stadium.
The Blues' club store was also reportedly closed during the sanctions period, although at the time of writing, the Blues' large online stores are still accessible.
Abramovich has owned Chelsea since 2003
Banning new transfers and contracts at the end of the season could affect Chelsea's future on the pitch.
Defenders Antonio Rudiger, Andreas Christensen and Cesar Azpilicueta all had their contracts expired at the end of the season and the trio were already worried about being bogged down in uncertainty over the club's ownership.
It is believed that the club will also be unable to issue new contracts to 17- and 18-year-olds in academy while uncertainties remain.
However, according to The Get France Football News, the agent representing a player in the Blues questioned whether it was permissible to prevent the player from leaving Stamford Bridge under the employment law.
"How can they ban clubs from selling players?" The broker said.
"Of course, for players who should have left, the employment law has an impact on what is basically trapped now?"
Rudiger and Christensen expire on contract at the end of the season
"The owner of Chelsea Football Club saw his assets frozen, banned from trading with british individuals and businesses, imposed travel bans and transport sanctions," the British government wrote in a statement announcing the sanctions.
Abramović's former business partner, the leading industrialist Oleg Deripaska, did the same.
The statement described Abramovich as "one of the few oligarchs who maintained a prominent position under Putin in the 1990s."
The Chelsea boss has denied any ties to Putin, although the extent of his relationship with the Russian president has come under increasing scrutiny in light of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.