Neville blasts ‘cowardly’ Abramovich over Chelsea statement
Gary Neville has hit out at Roman Abramovich for his “cowardly approach” to pass on the “stewardship” of Chelsea.
The Blues owner Abramovich handed the “stewardship and care” of the Blues to the club’s foundation trustees in a statement on Saturday night.
The Russian-Israeli billionaire will retain ownership of Chelsea but will not have any input in decision-making at the west London club.
16 Conclusions on Liverpool beating Chelsea in the League Cup final
Abramovich has taken a step back in light of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with several high-profile Russian businessmen already facing UK government sanctions.
A report on Sunday evening in the Daily Telegraph claimed that the Chelsea trustees ‘have not agreed’ to take ‘stewardship’ from Abramovich.
“Maybe myself and most others who saw that statement thought, ‘oh, this is a noble gesture, it’s the right thing to do’… when you look at who the trustees are, Emma Hayes the Chelsea women’s manager, Piara Powar who set-up Kick It Out, John Devine [sports lawyer], it’s quite clear they’re not going to be running Chelsea Football Club,” Neville told Sky Sports.
“One of the smartest things I think that Roman Abramovich has done over the last 20 years is not speak, not make statements because the statement that he made last night left more questions than answers.
“In fact, if anything, it was cowardly approach to throw a hospital pass to good people on the foundation board when it’s quite clear he runs the football club with Marina [Granovskaia] and Petr Cech.
“These owners from the top-six clubs are insulated from reality. They think they can put a smart PR team around them and con us with fancy words but unfortunately it doesn’t work.
“There’s no way that the charitable foundation of Chelsea are running the club, and I’m not quite sure why Roman Abramovich made that statement.
“If he wanted to make a statement of any note it would’ve been whether he supports the war in Ukraine or he doesn’t support the war in Ukraine.”
Club statement on the conflict in Ukraine.
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) February 27, 2022
Abramovich’s statement on Saturday night, read: “During my nearly 20-year ownership of Chelsea FC, I have 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 have 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 stewardship 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.”
