Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel blasted his own fans for singing Roman Abramovich's name during a minute's applause for Ukraine before Saturday's 4-0 win at Burnley.
Fans on all sides at Turf Moor had stood to applaud before kick-off as part of a league-wide campaign to show support for Ukraine following the Russian invasion of the country.
Yet some Chelsea fans interrupted the applause to sing the name of their Russian oligarch owner Abramovich, who has announced he is looking to sell the club.
'It's not the moment to do this,' Tuchel said. 'If we show solidarity we should do it together.
'We take the knee together. If an important person from our club or another club unfortunately dies we have a minute of respect.
'It is not the moment to give other messages. It's the moment to show respect. We want to do this. As a club we need our fans to commit to this minute of applause.
'We do it for Ukraine and there is no second opinion about this situation. They have our thoughts and our support and we should stand together. It's not the moment for other messages.'
Video shows crowds clapping in solidarity with the war-torn country before kick-off before voices then begin chanting the oligarch's name at Turf Moor in Burnley, Lancashire, as others booed in response.
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' with the Ukrainian flag on a large screen.
In his programme notes Burnley chairman Alan Pace said: 'The events happening in the world today do throw football into context,' Sky Sports reports.
He added: 'I want to use this column to again send solidarity and support to the people of Ukraine following the devastating scenes that have been unfolding in the country since the Russian invasion.
'I believe at times like this football has the power to unite and send a clear message.
'We were proud to welcome members of the local Ukrainian community to Turf Moor this week and I want to send my support to all those affected within the local area.'
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.
With questions being raised in UK parliament about imposing sanctions on the Russian oligarch due to his links with Vladimir Putin, he is now looking to sell his shares in Stamford Bridge as part of a rapid offload of his assets.
Abramovich has also been questioned over his links to the Russian president.
Last year he in court denied he was Putin's 'cashier' in the West - but is still seen as one of his 'enablers'.
He is said to have been the first person to recommend Putin for president to Boris Yeltsin, before Putin assumed office in 2000.
Following the news that the club owner, who has won five Premier League titles, as many FA Cups, three League Cups, the Champions League and Europa League in his 19-year reign as Chelsea owner, will be leaving Stamford Bridge, John Terry took to Twitter to express his admiration for him this week.
Along with a photo of the pair together, the former Blues captain wrote: 'The best' along with three blue love heart emojis.
Terry came under serious scrutiny for the post amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, including from Labour MP Bryant, who urged him to delete his tribute to Abramovich.
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.
Abraham1994
160
This man needs a statue (Roman Abramovich )
Nisdoruy
88
now Mr Thomas you know I love you but you don't talk like that his name matters to you and to everybody special forces Chelsea fans that's why I was saying his name should understand that and respect it do not talk to the fans like that this man deserves even statue outside Stamford bridge 100%
dollarskaro
66
no be u go tell fan what to do
TASADUQ_HAZARD_10
62
Tuchel is a good coach , let me remind him we have won PL , CL , FA Cup , multiple Europa leagues , Community Shield , Super cup , without him . Bro , To us Abramovich matters more than anybody ! we will find another coach but we would never find a faithful owner like him who loves our club . put some respect to his name . you talking about solidarity go join Ukraine . don't talk about Abramovich alright . he means so more to us . you just work for him , don't forget . he's the man who has transformed us into European Giants . don't forget Me Tuchel .
Yubdlmnps
42
THE HYPOCRITICAL NATURE OF WESTERN MEDIA When NATO murdered Muammar Gaddafi, Western media called it "Military intervention" and they no longer bother to report that the evil military action led by Obama has left the country in worse condition. George Bush and Tony Blair lied that Saddam Hussein has weapon of mass destruction (WMD) just to invade Iraq. After they destroyed the country and captured Saddam Hussein who was consequently executed, Bush said "We do not know whether or not (Iraq) has nuclear weapon." Both men who engineered a tragedy that took over 250,000 lives are not even facing trials for war crimes. Western media do not paint them in bad light as it ought to be. Western media will not tell you that Ukraine has been forcing Luhansk and Donetsk regions to be part of it, in spite of vast majority of the people choosing to be independent via a referendum. What they want you to believe is that Vladimir Putin is bullying innocent Ukraine for pleasure. Western media will not tell you that trampling on Ukraine's sovereignty is not Moscow Kremlin's main aim but survival against US-led NATO's encroachment, with the insistence on admitting Ukraine into NATO after allowing other Eastern European countries: Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia to join. America can recognise the independence of Taiwan but Russia cannot recognise the independence of Luhansk and Donetsk. America can recognise Jerusalem as the Capital of Israel but Russia cannot take back its people in Crimean Peninsula after they voted to join them. Western media want you to believe that the West is always right while Russia and China are the perpetual bad guys. Usa • PUTIN ON USA: "There were promises to our country not to expand NATO even one inch to the east. I repeat – THEY [USA] DECEIVED US, in other words, they simply CONNED us. Yes, you can often hear that politics is a dirty business. Perhaps [that is so], but not to this extent. After all, such CHEATING behaviour contradicts not only the principles of international relations, but above all the generally recognised norms of morality. Where is justice and truth here? JUST TOTAL LIES AND HYPOCRISY. “By the way, American politicians, political scientists and journalists themselves write and say that in recent years, an actual “EMPIRE OF LIES” has been created inside the United States. It’s hard to disagree with that, as it’s true. But let us not understate: the United States is a great country, a system-forming power. All her satellites not only dutifully agree, sing along to its music, but also copy its behaviour, and enthusiastically accept the rules they are offered. Therefore, with good reason, we can confidently say that the entire so-called Western bloc, formed by the United States in its own image and likeness, all of it is an ’EMPIRE OF LIES.'” SOURCE: Excerpt from Putin's Speech on February 24, 2022.
Pjay044
9
now Mr Thomas you know I love you but you don't talk like that his name matters to you and to everybody special forces Chelsea fans that's why I was saying his name should understand that and respect it do not talk to the fans like that this man deserves even statue outside Stamford bridge 100%
He was simply saying that wasn't the right time. It has nothing to do with disrespecting Abramovich.
Natanya_Barrett
8
This man needs a statue (Roman Abramovich )
true.. the best owner I've seen in the modern era he really loves Chelsea hope you guys find another like him