The Russian invasion of Ukraine has affected Premier League side Chelsea. Owned by Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich, the club is now being looked after by its trustees after Abramovich decided to step aside following sanctions faced by Russian billionaires in the UK. A journalists’ constant persuasion regarding the war and Abramovich drew the ire of the Blues manager Thomas Tuchel at a press conference.
The German appeared to lose his cool and urged reporters to stop asking him questions regarding the Russian invasion of Ukraine as well as Chelsea’s stewardship passing into the hands of the club’s trustees and charitable foundation.
At the press conference ahead of Wednesday’s FA Cup match with Luton Town, the tactician faced repeated questions on the same topics over which he has little to no influence. On being asked whether the club’s owner Roman Abramovich would be able to broker peace between Ukraine and Russia, he finally snapped.
“Listen, listen, listen, you have to stop. I am not a politician. You have to stop, honestly. I can only repeat it. And I even feel bad to repeat it because I never experienced war.
So even to talk about it I feel bad because I am very privileged. I sit here in peace and I do the best I can, but you have to stop asking me these questions. I have no answers for you.”
Abramovich’s decision to pass the stewardship of the London-based club to the foundation’s trustees raised plenty of eyebrows in the European football circuit. While some speculation suggests that the club be put on sale soon, Abramovich has disputed his closeness with Russian president Vladimir Putin and has denied any involvement in the current geopolitical crisis involving Ukraine. Officially, the club also maintain that they aren’t for sale.
Tuchel was also enquired whether he’d like to pass on a message to the fans about the uncertainty surrounding the club at the moment.
“We are trying to be calm here, I am calm and we are calm at the centre of a storm or some noise around us which we cannot control and are not responsible for. In the end, it is best to stay calm and focus on what we love and do. This is sports.
he said.
