This Saturday afternoon, the Premier League paid tribute to Ukraine with a minute’s silence before the kick-off of each match. A tribute that was not followed by Chelsea supporters, preferring them to sing for Roman Abramovich.
The conflict in Ukraine leaves traces on English football and on one of its most famous representatives, Chelsea. The London club sees this war with a very particular eye since it is owned by the Russian billionaire, Roman Abramovich, close to Vladimir Putin. An untenable situation for the oligarch who has decided to put the club he has owned since 2003 up for sale. If Blues fans are sensitive to the fate of the Ukrainian people, the departure of the man who allowed them to win two leagues champions do not leave them insensitive. They showed it this Saturday afternoon at Burnley.
Chelsea fans celebrate Roman Abramovich
This weekend is placed under the sign of the tribute to Ukraine and its people on all the lawns of the Premier League. Messages, marks of support are communicated and a minute of silence is held before the kick-off of the matches. But, at Burnley where Chelsea were moving, this moment turned into a mark of support…for Roman Abramovich. Blues fans sang and chanted his name during the game, including during the moment of silence.
“It was not the moment to do this.”
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has reacted to Chelsea fans singing Roman Abramovich’s name during Ukraine applause. pic.twitter.com/6uXhM5dNQp
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) March 5, 2022
This obviously caused controversy in England. Embarrassed, Thomas Tuchel spoke at a post-match press conference and was very annoyed by his supporters. ” Now was not the time to do this. Listen, if we show solidarity, we show solidarity and we show it together. We kneel together, if an important person from another club or our club dies unfortunately, we show them a minute of respect. This is not the time to give other messages, it is a time of respect. We show respect as a club and we need our fans to commit to this minute of applause as we do it for Ukraine “, he said. A frustration of the German coach who contrasts with that of his own supporters. An episode representative of the malaise and the uncertainty that reigns at Chelsea, where we are impatiently awaiting a new buyer.
