Claims that Abramovich bought Chelsea on Putin orders defamatory, judge rules

A ruling from judge Mrs Justice Tipples has upheld Abramovich’s claims of nine defamatory statements made against him in Belton’s book Putin’s People

Roman Abramovich, pictured, has received a boost from his court case (Mike Egerton/PA)

Claims that Roman Abramovich bought Chelsea on the instruction of Vladimir Putin have been ruled as defamatory in the UK's High Court.

Chelsea owner Abramovich has received early vindication of his continuing law suit against HarperCollins and author Catherine Belton.