Chelsea owner Abramovich talking to Ukraine


Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has been asked by Ukraine to help support their attempts to reach a “peaceful resolution” with Russia.

The Russian billionaire’s spokesperson said Abramovich was contacted by Ukrainian officials and “has been trying to help ever since”.

Ukraine has called for a ceasefire before peace talks in Belarus.

Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a military invasion of neighboring Ukraine on Thursday.

Ukraine’s health ministry said on Sunday that 352 civilians, including 14 children, had been killed since Russia’s invasion began.

Abramovich announced on Saturday that “stewardship and care” of the club was being given to trustees of Chelsea’s charitable foundation.

The 55-year-old is one of Russia’s richest people and is believed to be close to Russian President Putin.

Ukrainian film director and producer Alexander Rodnyansky confirmed the Chelsea owner’s involvement in attempts to reach a peaceful resolution, but added he is unsure of the impact it will have.

“I can confirm that the Ukrainian side have been trying to find someone in Russia willing to help them in finding a peaceful resolution,” said Rodnyansky.

“They are connected to Roman Abramovich through the Jewish community and reached out to him for help. Abramovich has been trying to mobilize support for a peaceful resolution ever since.

“Although Abramovich’s influence is limited, he is the only one who responded and taken it upon himself to try.

“If this will have an impact or not, I don’t know, but I am in contact with [Ukraine President Volodymyr] Zelensky’s staff myself, and I know that they are grateful for his genuine efforts.”

It is not known yet if Abramovich will be sanctioned as part of the UK government’s measures against Russia, and the trustees of Chelsea’s charitable foundation have not yet agreed to take control of the club.

Members of the charitable foundation met on Sunday to discuss the situation, but some have concerns about whether Charity Commission rules would allow them to run the club and the foundation’s lawyers are exploring what can be done.

‘Russia must be excluded from World Cup’

Football’s world governing body Fifa has ruled that Russia must complete their upcoming games in neutral territoryunder the title Football Union of Russia, and without their flag and anthem.

However, Scotland have joined several nations, including England and Wales, as well as Poland, the Czech Republic and Sweden, in refusing to play Russia.

On Monday, Scottish FA president Rod Petrie wrote to his Ukrainian counterpart “to send a message of support, friendship and unity”, with those two nations due to meet in their World Cup play-off semi-final on 24 March.

Russia are scheduled to face Poland in the play-offs on the same day, followed by a final meeting with the Czech Republic or Sweden on 29 March should they win.

The British Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, Lucy Powell, told BBC Breakfast that Fifa must exclude Russia from major tournaments.

“I think fans across the UK, Europe and the world are united in saying it should be totally inconceivable that Russia could take part in the World Cup, or that the women’s team could take part in the women’s Euro finals here in July,” Powell said.

“Fifa really need to step up here. Make it clear that Russia should be excluded from the World Cup – they cannot take part in that – and that should apply across all international sporting bodies.

“While they undertake such a barbaric and illegal invasion in Ukraine they will become the pariah state when it comes to sporting and cultural events.”



Reference-www.bbc.co.uk

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