Chelsea fans interrupted a minute’s applause in solidarity with Ukraine on Saturday by chanting the name of their Russian owner Roman Abramovich.
Burnley’s Turf Moor stadium featured the slogan “Football Stands Together” and the Ukrainian flag on a large screen as part of a gesture to support the country in light of Russia’s invasion.
While fans, 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.
It comes days after Chelsea fans were heard singing “murderers” and “you killed your own fans” in reference to the Hillsborough disaster following the club’s defeat to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final last weekend.
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Abramovich put the club up for sale on Wednesday amid growing calls for him to face sanctions from the UK government over his alleged links to Russian president Vladimir Putin.
The oligarch bought Chelsea in 2003, and his ownership has seen the most successful years the club has enjoyed. But his reign is now coming to a close with investors preparing bids, as i revealed on Monday, although his hopes of securing a £3bn asking price could be limited by problems with the club’s Stamford Bridge stadium.
Abramovich 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.
In their first match since the sale was announced, Chelsea took the lead against Burnley a little over two minutes into the second half as Reece James got the better of Dwight McNeil before firing across the face of goal.
Kai Havertz then doubled the lead shortly afterwards. Christian Pulisic was given too much space to bend in a cross and Havertz was able to peel off his marker at the back post to head in with ease.
The German then made it three goals in nine minutes after converting James’ cross, before Pulisic rounded off a 4-0 win.
Additional reporting by agencies
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