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Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich has stepped back from running Chelsea by saying he had given stewardship of the club to the trustees of its foundation |
Chelsea fans arriving for the League Cup final at Wembley on Sunday said they were conflicted about owner Roman Abramovichโs success in turning the club into a European soccer power and the invasion of Ukraine by his native Russia.
Abramovich, one of the most successful businessmen from Russia, bought Chelsea in 2003 and the hundreds of millions of pounds he has invested since then have helped the Blues to win the Premier League title on five occasions and the European Champions League twice.
They have amassed more trophies than any other English club during that time.
But the metals magnate effectively turned his back on life in London after the British government delayed renewing his visa in 2018 following the attempted assassination of a former Russian double-agent in England, which it blamed on Moscow.
Russian President Vladimir Putinโs invasion of Ukraine last week has shone an even harsher light on the highest-profile Russian businessman in Britain where there have been calls for the club to be taken away from him by the government.
On Saturday, Abramovich stepped back from running Chelsea by saying he had given stewardship of the club to the trustees of its foundation. But the statement did not mention the invasion of Ukraine, drawing widespread criticism.
โUnfortunately he didnโt distance himself from Putin,โ Mike Emberley, a Chelsea supporter since the 1960s, said as he walked up Wembley Way before the Londonersโ match against Liverpool.
โHeโs been marvellous for our club. I just wish he had condemned itโฆ Heโs not taken money out of the club. Heโs had the clubโs best interests at heart. Itโs just that whatโs happening in Ukraine is disgusting.โ
Chelsea issued another statement on Sunday which said โthe situation in Ukraine is horrific and devastating,โ drawing further criticism from some fans for not explicitly referring to Russiaโs invasion.
The Chelsea Supportersโ Trust, a fansโ group which works with the club on issues affecting fans, said late on Saturday that it stood with the people of Ukraine and that it was seeking โurgent clarificationโ over Abramovichโs role at Chelsea in future.
Fans arriving for Sundayโs match said they too did not know what was really going on with the owner and the club.
โIโm unclear about what it all means,โ said Dave Phair, a 61-year-old Chelsea supporter who has followed the club since he was a boy.
But he said he remained comfortable with Abramovichโs ownership after the Russian rescued the club from deep financial problems nearly 20 years ago and he pointed to other English clubs with controversial owners.
โItโs not just Chelsea. Look at Man City and Newcastle,โ he said.
Rival Premier League sides Manchester City and Newcastle are owned respectively by state investors from the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, both countries which have been criticised by human rights activists.
Chelsea and Liverpool fans took part in a minuteโs applause before Sundayโs game to express support for the people of Ukraine and Liverpool fans sang their most famous song, โYouโll Never Walk Alone.โ
REUTERS