Roman Abramovich allegedly dodged potentially tens of millions of euros in tax by renting out his superyachts to himself, according to an investigation.

From 2005 until 2012, the former Chelsea FC owner is alleged to have registered five luxury yachts as commercial vehicles, thereby avoiding paying VAT on their purchase and running costs.

The illusion of a commercial operation was maintained through a pleasure cruise business under which the vessels were leased between companies owned by Abramovich, it has been alleged by The Bureau of Investigative Journalism and the BBC.

Documents reviewed in the investigation showed that the superyachts were owned by companies registered in the British Virgin Islands, all of them owned by a Cyprus-based trust that belonged to Abramovich.