Chelsea fans tear gassed by French police after chanting Roman Abramovich’s name ahead of Champions League game in Lille

Chelsea fans clashed with French riot police ahead of last night’s Champions League game in Lille.

The crisis-hit Premier League club advanced to the quarter finals following a 4-1 aggregate win over Lille, but the match was largely overshadowed by the trouble that preceded it.

Gendarmes in full riot gear were forced to launch tear gas canisters at a group of fans who had been drinking throughout the day in close proximity to Lille-Flanders station.

‘We were called to the bar following complaints about the behaviour of the supporters,’ said a local police spokesman, who added the violence started soon after 6.30pm.

‘Roads around the area have been cordoned off and there are still isolated pockets of trouble around the city.’

Despite expressly being told to stop chanting the name of their sanctioned owner Roman Abramovich, Chelsea’s fans continued to show their support for the Russian oligarch, whose assets have been seized by the UK Government as a consequence of his ties with Vladimir Putin.

Abramovich has been forced to sell a club that has benefited from his wealth to become a modern footballing superpower.

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A host of parties have registered an interest in buying the Premier League giants, but many fans feel the man who has presided over the most successful period in Chelsea’s history has been unfairly treated.

Rustam Doroshenko, a 27-year-old from Poltava, in central Ukraine, was among those Chelsea fans speaking up for Mr Abramovich.

While having absolutely nothing to do with the violence, Mr Doroshenko told the Daily Mail: ‘His ownership of Chelsea has been a dream.

‘He is somebody who really cares for the club, and