released by Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich. And the last hour
during my nearly 20-year ownership of Chelsea FC. I've
always viewed my role as a custodian of the club whose
job. It is ensuring
that we are as successful as we can be today,
as well as build for the future while also playing a positive
role in our communities. I've always taken decisions with
the club's best interest at heart. I remain committed to these
values. That is why I am today
giving Trustees of Chelsea's charitable Foundation.
The Worship and care of Chelsea FC. I believe that currently
they are in the best position to look after the interests of
the club players, staff and fans that is a statement from
the owner of Chelsea Football Club, and I should just give
you some background over
in the UK. Where, of course, Chelsea is where Abramovich is
often based. They have frozen assets of all
major Russian Banks over the last couple of days because of
the war in Ukraine and The Invasion by Russia in Ukraine.
They've also frozen assets.
It to 100 individuals or businesses Roman Abramovich,
a billionaire, an oligarch from Russia, a Russian national
clearly trying to protect himself and his assets, Chelsea
Football Club? Being one of them, Robbie. Oh,
surprise, a shock in some ways. Maybe for many people watching,
not your reaction.
Yes, surprise. For me, Rebecca for a man, the brand that you
rarely speaks to the media or says anything.
Now, these Few words speak volumes for the situation at
Chelsea and let's not forget.
This is the world Club Champions.
The Champions League holders
could be League Cup winners. If they
get through tomorrow's game
the ramifications and of what could
be down the line
I think is quite frightening for Chelsea at the moment
whether I'm a Chelsea fan, I'm a Chelsea player or I'm part of
a Chelsea Football Club. He had Visa problems. He's hardly been
actually in the UK at all.
Past three years became an Israeli National while seen
though lifting the world club cup only a few weeks ago. Tim.
What do you make of this? Well, it's concerning for Chelsea
Football Club. I mean, as you said Robbie, he has he hasn't
had much to say
publicly, but we know with Chelsea, there's been a quiet
chaos under his Reign, right? There's been mostly player
power successful managers have come and gone very quickly
even. So they're kind of used to that. But as those players
sit in the hotel, Tell tonight and prepare
for a cup final tomorrow.
The only Chelsea most of them have ever known is under Roman
Abramovich. And this will this will make them uneasy. This
isn't like anything they've ever dealt with it. Chelsea,
and they dealt with a lot.
I think there's a lot more in this to come,
you know, in the coming days and certainly over overnight.
He's out in the club for 18 years. Only this week, of
course, with the invasion of
Ukraine by Russia Thomas to call in the build-up Kelly Cup
Final. That Tim mentions was asked about it. He said this is
just Take, it's got a hell of a lot more distracting tonight.
As Tim says, there, in that hotel, preparing for this game
tomorrow.
Well, if you're
in the other dress from Liverpool, you're thinking,
we're ready to go. And Chelsea,
Thomas Chuckles, got his hands. Full to get his plays focused
to stop all the noise around it. The gossip. They'll be
talked of you. Is he going to be in charge or we going to get
paid what's happening with the money? All those things start
happening. Josh
in the back because
football is will talk
and they're always talk about what? It's in that scenario and
Thomas tickles. Got to keep some positivity around that
group to make sure they're ready for the game. Yeah, and
I think
our job is to talk about it. Their job as players is Eat
Right, sleep right in prepare. And as you said right now
they're in each other's rooms on text going. Yeah. What have
you heard? Who's heard? What? And then and and it takes away
from
the job at hand which what they're supposed to do with.
Hope somebody from Chelsea, probably a bulls Thomas too.
Cold is gone into that locker room and shut the door and has
gone through where we are. And what needs Has to happen and
then they concentrate
on illegal final tomorrow.