A spokesman for Roman Abramovich has declined to comment on reports Chelsea’s billionaire Russian owner is awaiting the renewal of his UK visa after it expired last month.

The Financial Times reported on Sunday that Abramovich, who bought Chelsea in June 2003, is currently without a visa for the UK.

John Mann, the 51-year-old Abramovich’s Moscow-based spokesman, told Press Association Sport it was a private matter and there would be no comment.

Abramovich was not in attendance as Chelsea won Saturday’s FA Cup final by beating Manchester United 1-0 at Wembley.

Abramovich did not attend Saturday's FA Cup final
Abramovich did not attend Saturday’s FA Cup final (Nick Potts/PA Archive)

However, it is not unusual for the Russian oligarch to miss matches, even big ones.

Although London is one of Abramovich’s residences, he spends a lot of time in Moscow.

The Sunday Times lists Abramovich as Britain’s 13th richest man, with a net worth of £9.3billion.

The Financial Times pointed to the increased geopolitical tensions between the Kremlin and the west.

But there is nothing to say the Abramovich visa situation, where his renewal application is taking longer than usual, is linked.