The head of Russia’s highest audit body cranked up the pressure against oil magnate Roman Abramovich today, saying the billionaire should step down as governor of a remote Arctic region, the Interfax news agency reported.

Billionaire Chelsea boss Roman Abramovich may be the next target of Kremlin prosecutors after the remote region he runs was declared bankrupt by Russia’s highest audit body.

Roman Abramovich, the Russian billionaire owner of Chelsea soccer club, will face checks by Russia’s highest auditing body starting next month, its chief said in Moscow today.