FILE PHOTO: A sign is seen at an entrance to Stamford Bridge, the stadium for Chelsea Football Club, after Russian businessman Roman Abramovich said he would sell Chelsea, 19 years after buying it, amid growing pressure for oligarchs to be hit by sanctions after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, in London, Britain March 3, 2022. REUTERS/Toby Melville/File Photo
March 5, 2022
By Simon Evans
BURNLEY, England (Reuters) – Chelsea fans chanted the name of their Russian owner Roman Abramovich during a minute’s applause in solidarity with Ukraine on Saturday.
There have been gestures of support for Ukraine before kick-off at Premier League games, and Burnley’s ground featured the slogan “Football Stands Together” and the Ukrainian flag on a large screen.
Abramovich announced on Wednesday that he was putting the club up for sale amid growing calls in Britain for him to face sanctions following Russia’s invasion of its neighbour.
While fans around the stadium, including the visiting Chelsea supporters, stood and applauded as the players stood for a minute before kick-off, Chelsea fans began chanting their owners’ name, with Burnley fans booing in response.
Abramovich took over Chelsea in 2003, and his ownership has seen the most successful years the club has enjoyed.
The Russian has told his aides to set up a charitable foundation to benefit “all victims of the war in Ukraine” which would receive all net proceeds from the sale.
(Reporting by Simon Evans; Editing by Hugh Lawson)
