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LONDON. — Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has become an Israeli citizen, raising his hopes of getting back into Britain.

The billionaire has effectively been banned from the UK after his previous visa ran out in March and has not yet been renewed by the Government.

Under new rules, Abramovich will have to prove the £2million he has invested in Britain is “clean” before he is granted a new one.

But the 51-year-old could now get around the ruling after taking Israeli citizenship.

Israeli passport holders can enter Britain without a visa for short stays – although they require visas to work.

The Ynet news site said Abramovich, who is Jewish, flew to Tel Aviv on Monday and has received documents confirming his status as a citizen.

Israel grants citizenship to any Jewish person wishing to move and issues a passport immediately.

A spokeswoman for the Population Administration, which oversees border control, confirmed that Abramovich was in Israel.

Relations between Moscow and London have been strained since the poisoning of ex-Russian spy Sergei Skripal and daughter Yulia in March. — The Mirror