Chelsea’s players joined with their Liverpool counterparts in showing support for Ukraine ahead of Sunday’s Carabao Cup final at Wembley.
The Champions League holders’ preparations prior to the first showpiece occasion of the season had been deiminated by the uncertainty surrounding Roman Abramovich’s future as the club’s owner.
The Russian ogliarch released a statement saying he is ‘giving trustees of Chelsea’s charitable foundation the stewardship and care’ of the club.
For the latest updates on the Russia-Ukraine war, visit our live blog: Russia-Ukraine live
Abramovich, who will remain the club’s owner, made the decision amid Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
‘I have always taken decisions with the club’s best interest at heart,’ he said in a rare statement.
‘I remain committed to these values. That is why I am today giving trustees of Chelsea’s charitable Foundation the stewardship and care of Chelsea FC.
‘I believe that currently they are in the best position to look after the interests of the club, players, staff, and fans.’
Chelsea subsequently released a statement on Sunday morning which read: ‘The situation in Ukraine is horrific and devastating.
‘Chelsea FC’s thoughts are with everyone in Ukraine. Everyone at the club is praying for peace.’
Chelsea’s ties with Russia and Abramovich’s wealth, which has funded the most successful period in the club’s history, had led some to question whether they would actively show support for Ukraine ahead of Sunday’s match.
But as the teams lined up on the field ahead of the national anthem, both sets of players applauded as the 90,000 fans packed inside the stadium were encouraged to show their support by those affected by the ongoing war.
Speaking ahead of the game, Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel was asked to clarify whether Abramovich, given his links to Russia and the Putin-led regime, wanted to see peace in Ukraine.
He said: Absolutely, absolutely it includes him and it reflects my opinion like everybody else’s opinion and the club.
‘No, no we have not (been in touch) which is absolutely not unusual because I have a daily conversation with Petr Cech and a very regular conversation with Marina – they’re both in charge, both in charge of football and from my understanding they will stay in charge so that will not change a lot for me actually.
‘I did also not say it was difficult, it was just a distraction of course because we are aware, we’re watching news and people are concerned and, like we said, we are like also shocked of the situation in Ukraine.
‘So, this was more or less it but at the end approaching this final, big final, we allowed ourselves also to be sportsmen, to be football players and we allowed ourselves to focus on this match of football and to a certain degree enjoy it.
‘We know they are like much, much more important things out there than football and still we are here to play a match of football and this is what the players also deserve and spectators as well.’
MORE : Chelsea players take part in pro-Ukraine show of support ahead of Carabao Cup final
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
No comments:
Post a Comment