Soccer - Chelsea fans torn between glory under Abramovich and Ukraine horror

LONDON : Chelsea fans arriving for the League Cup final at Wembley on Sunday said they were conflicted about owner Roman Abramovich's success in turning the club into a European soccer power and the invasion of Ukraine by his native Russia.

Abramovich, one of the most successful businessmen from Russia, bought Chelsea in 2003 and the hundreds of millions of pounds he has invested since then have helped the Blues to win the Premier League title on five occasions and the European Champions League twice.

They have amassed more trophies than any other English club during that time.

But the metals magnate effectively turned his back on life in London after the British government delayed renewing his visa in 2018 following the attempted assassination of a former Russian double-agent in England, which it blamed on Moscow.

Russian President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine last week has shone an even harsher light on the highest-profile Russian businessman in Britain where there have been calls for the club to be taken away from him by the government.

On Saturday, Abramovich stepped back from running Chelsea by saying he had given stewardship of the club to the trustees of its foundation. But the statement did not mention the invasion of Ukraine, drawing widespread criticism.

"Unfortunately he didn't distance himself from Putin," Mike Emberley, a Chelsea supporter since the 1960s, said as he walked up Wembley Way before the Londoners' match against Liverpool.

"He's been marvellous for our club. I just wish he had condemned it... He's not taken money out of the club. He's had the club's best interests at heart. It's just that what's happening in Ukraine is disgusting."

Chelsea issued another statement on Sunday which said "the