Chelsea put out 24-WORD statement to condemn conflict in Ukraine

Chelsea have this morning issued a brief statement on the crisis in Ukraine as Russia‘s invasion now enters a fourth day, with the club insisting that ‘everyone’ is ‘praying for peace’ amid the bloodshed.

Their message comes after owner Roman Abramovich last night handed over control to the trustees of the charitable foundation at Stamford Bridge. 

The Russian oligarch has been in charge of the west London side since 2003, and his move took place shortly after Parliament was told that he had been named as a person of interest in 2019. 

He has allegedly been linked to Vladimir Putin and the Russian state, and is allegedly also in ‘association with corrupt activity and practices’.

Last night, it was claimed that any attempts to impose sanctions on him as a result of the invasion may have been disastrous for the club. 

And their statement today comes just hours before the Carabao Cup final.

‘The situation in Ukraine is horrific and devastating,’ it read. ‘Chelsea FC’s thoughts are with everyone in Ukraine. Everyone at the club is praying for peace.’

It failed to mention Abramovich, however, despite the businessman being thrust into the spotlight following Russia’s incursion of its neighbouring country.  

Billionaire Abramovich was named in papers leaked to an MP that linked him to Putin’s regime and ‘public association with corrupt activity and practices’. 

The release of the Home Office document quickly led to calls for him to be stripped of his right to own a football club in Britain. 

Downing Street has not named him among those to be punished after Putin launched the strike in Ukraine, instead naming five senior Russia-based figures.

The government would not be drawn on the claims over Abramovich, however.   

 

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: ‘I couldn’t comment on individuals in that way or on leaked documents of that type.’ 

It was reported by The Times that if sanctions were slapped on Abramovich, he may have been prompted to ask Chelsea to pay back £1.5billion it owes him.

Abramovich has not been seen at Stamford Bridge in the capital in months. 

He withdrew his application for a British Tier 1 investor visa in 2018, after reported delays in his application following criticism of oligarchs which came in the wake of the Salisbury poisonings. 

In his statement on Chelsea’s website yesterday, he 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 trustees of the foundation now at the helm of Chelsea are Bruce Buck, John Devine, Emma Hayes, Piara Powar, Seb Coe and Sir Hugh Robertson. 

More to follow.