CHELSEA have released a fresh statement addressing the ‘horrific’ conflict in Ukraine.
It comes hours after Roman Abramovich announced he was stepping back at Chelsea – but failed to mention the war.
Abramovich has stepped back from his role at Chelsea
The statement 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.”
It comes after Abramovich’s statement was slammed for failing to acknowledge the conflict.
The Blues owner last night sensationally gave up his power over the club.
TV firebrand Piers Morgan branded the move as “self-serving”.
Piers hit out at the Russian billionaire, who before this Chelsea statement had yet to comment on his country’s bloody battle in Ukraine, calling him a “weasel” and a “Putin puppet.”
He said: “Very simple question for Abramovich: do you support the war or not?
“If he does, or won’t say, he should be barred from owning any UK football club or business.
“Weasel words. Where is the condemnation of Putin’s invasion of Ukraine?
“If Abramovich really wants to prove he’s not a Putin puppet, he should denounce the war loudly and clearly. But he won’t…..”
In another tweet the TalkTV presenter raged: “Where has Abramovich expressed horror at what’s happening in Ukraine?
“Must have missed that part of his entirely self-serving, protection-against-sanctions statement.
“Stop covering for him & ask Chelsea FC if he’s horrified or will condemn the war & Putin.”
PUNDIT PILES IN
Football pundit Micah Richards has also slammed the statement, saying it was “almost written in code”
Speaking on Sky Sports he said: “We need more than that, don’t we?
“After all the devastation we’ve seen in Ukraine over the last couple of days, to just come out with a statement that says you’re handing it over to a charity, I think’s is poor.
“They could do a lot more than that. There’s so many questions that need to be asked.
“To come out with a statement just like that. What does that statement even mean?
“It’s almost written in code, to say like ‘we don’t exactly want to tell you what’s happening but here you go, read this, and you pick the bones out of it and see exactly what it means.’”
Abramovich’s shock move means that Stamford Bridge chairman Bruce Buck, Blue’s female boss Emma Hayes, Head of National Lottery Sir Hugh Robertson and Piara Power are part of the group who have taken over.
Lawyer John Devine and Paul Ramos, director of finance, make up the six new trustees, but Abramovich remains the clubs owner and can still invest money into it.
Latest in Ukraine…
- Missiles rained down on the country in the third night of war
- Terrifying thermobaric rocket launchers capable of ‘exploding’ enemy’s lungs ‘seen heading towards Ukraine’
- ‘Hundreds’ Russian soldiers have been captured, a Ukrainian MP has claimed.
- A missile slammed into the side of an apartment building, killing two people in Kyiv
- Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy refused a US offer to evacuate the Kyiv and vowed to stay and fight
- Defiant Ukrainian soldiers are using UK missiles to fight off Putin’s invasion
- A Russian cargo ship was seized in the English Channel for ‘violating EU sanctions’
- Western allies agreed to boot Russian banks out of the Swift system
- The Kremlin’s official website was downed by hackers
- Hero Ukrainian soldiers repelled a savage attack on a vital junction
- The PM vowed to rush through laws to target dirty money funneled through Britain by Russian oligarchs
- Roman Abramovich gave up control of Chelsea football club
In a statement Abramovich said: “During my nearly 20-year ownership of Chelsea FC, I have always viewed my role as a custodian of the Club, whose job it is ensuring that we are as successful as we can be today, as well as build for the future, while also playing a positive role in our communities.
“I have always taken decisions with the Club’s best interest at heart. 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.”
The decision is understood to be an attempt to distance the club from the controversy surround him.
Yesterday, his daughter Sofia shared an anti-Vladimir Putin meme on social media.
And today it was reported that US investors are keen on buying the Club World Cup champions.
He has won five Premier League titles during his astonishing tenure at the club.
‘URGENT CLARIFICATION’
The announcement came on the eve of the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool at Wembley this afternoon.
The Chelsea Supporters’ Trust have said they are “seeking urgent clarification” over the impact of Abramovich’s decision to step back from running the club.
In a statement they said: “The Chelsea Supporters’ Trust is deeply saddened and shocked by the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the subsequent loss of life.
“We note Mr Abramovich’s statement and are seeking urgent clarification on what this statement means for the running of Chelsea FC.
“The CST board are ready to work with the trustees of The Chelsea foundation in order to ensure the long-term interests of the club and supporters. We stand with the people of Ukraine.”
Some Russian oligarchs are having their assets frozen by the British government due to events in Ukraine, however Abramovich has not been sanctioned.
Russian forces have continued to launch air strikes on Ukrainian capital Kyiv, as well as targeting their second largest city of Kharkiv.
