Blames Chelsea Fans Who Ridicule Abramovich Amid Support For Ukraine, Tuchel: Time To Show Respect!
JAKARTA - Thomas Tuchel lashed out at Chelsea fans who applauded but also mocked club owner Roman Abramovich ahead of the start of the match that Chelsea finally won 4-0 on Saturday.
Following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Premier League clubs held moments of pre-match solidarity with Ukraine before every game this weekend and the majority of the crowd applauded and chanted Abramovich's name at Turf Moor.
Abramovich has announced he will sell the reigning Champions League champions amid speculation he could also be subject to British government sanctions over his alleged ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Four goals and three points on the road! 0-4 ️ | #BurChe pic.twitter.com/q6haGcYw8P
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) March 5, 2022
However, Chelsea manager Tuchel was disappointed with the fans who chose to tarnish the game by giving too much support for Ukraine.
"This is not the time to do that. If we have to show solidarity, then we will show that solidarity and we have to do it together," he was quoted as saying by Antara, Sunday.
"We kneel together. If an important person from our club or another club dies, we will pay our respects for one minute."
“This is not the time to give another message. It's time to show respect! As a club, we need our fans to commit to this one minute of applause."
"We are doing it for Ukraine and this is not the time to give for another message."
Chelsea have won 19 major trophies in Abramovich's 19 years, including five Premier League titles, two Champions Leagues and the Club World Cup.
Abramovich has reportedly set a $4 billion price tag for Chelsea and billionaire Turkish billionaire Muhsin Bayrak is among the latest wealthy investors to express interest in a potential deal.
Additionally Swiss tycoon Hansjorg Wyss and American businessman Todd Boehly, co-owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball team, have reportedly also formed a partnership with a view to making an offer.