Tuchel’s criticism – against his supporters

© Alastair Grant / AP / TT
Chelsea coach Thomas Tuchel was not happy with the team’s fans after the match against Burnley. Photo gallery.

Demonstration of Ukraine before the start of the match.

Then some Chelsea supporters chose to name Roman Abramoutig instead.

This is not the time to do so, says coach Thomas Tuchel.

Chelsea beat Burnley 4-0 after a goal exploded at the beginning of the second half. But it was a pre-match event that got more attention.

Chelsea fans gasped for a moment of applause to express their support for Ukraine after the Russian invasion. Instead, some fans chanted the name Roman Abramoutig.

The Russian oligarch, who has owned the club since 2003 and is said to have links to President Vladimir Putin, put the club up for sale earlier this week after the Russian invasion.

– This is not the time to do this, says Thomas Tuchel of supporters’ actions according to the BBC.

– It’s a chance to show respect. We want to do that. As a club, we need our fans to tune in to the moment of applause. We’re doing it for Ukraine, and it’s clear what we’re thinking in this case. Ukraine has our support and we must stand united

Abramotti’s possible close relationship with Putin is in dispute, something he himself has denied. In any case, it is clear that the British Home Office in 2019 identified the links between Abramotti and the Russian state.

The European Union, the United States and the United Kingdom have imposed targeted sanctions on Russian billionaires associated with the president by freezing assets and preventing them from traveling to the West.

Abramoti has not yet been subjected to any of these penalties.