Has anyone seen Roman Abramovich?

The Russian billionaire has avoided Britain for months and is preparing his finances to skirt the threat of American sanctions, writes Stephanie Baker.

IN LATE August, as supporters of Chelsea Football Club assembled at Stamford Bridge to watch their team beat London rivals Arsenal, a group in the upper deck unfurled a 40ft blue-and-red banner. “The Roman Empire,” it shouted, beside an image of the team’s owner, Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich.