Deputy PM Dominic Raab criticises Chelsea fans for Roman Abramovich chant during Ukraine applause

Deputy Prime Minister Dominic Raab says Chelsea supporters were ‘totally wrong’ for chanting Roman Abramovich’s name during the minute’s applause for victims of the war in Ukraine.

The gesture was held before kick-off in Chelsea’s fixture against Burnley at Turf Moor on Saturday, with all Premier League clubs taking part.

But while the majority of Chelsea and Burnley supporters joined the applause, some supporters in the away end began singing the name of Abramovich, who announced this week that he is selling the club.

The chant by Chelsea fans was quickly met with boos from Burnley supporters before the referee blew his whistle to signal an end to the applause.

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When asked about the incident, Raab told BBC’s Sunday Morning: ‘I’m a Chelsea fan and I think it’s totally wrong.

‘It would be a minority of fans doing it, and I thought Thomas Tuchel, the manager, was quite right to come out and be clear about his disagreement with that.’

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel also hit out at Chelsea supporters who opted to chant Abramovich’s name.

‘It’s not the moment to do this,’ he said after Chelsea’s 4-0 win over Burnley.

‘Listen, if we show solidarity we show solidarity and we should do it together.

‘We take the knee together and if an important person from our club or another club unfortunately dies, we show a minute of respect. It’s not the moment to give other messages. It’s the moment to show respect.

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