Sections of Chelsea’s support interrupted a pre-match showing of solidarity with the people of Ukraine to chant the name of the club's Russian owner Roman Abramovich.
A minute’s applause ahead of the Blues game at Turf Moor against Burnley was spoiled by the visiting fans singing the name of their club owner.
It comes at the end of a tumultuous week in which Abramovich’s announced that he is looking to sell the Blues after 19-years of ownership.
Abramovich stepped back from his duties as owner after his nation's invasion of Ukraine brought his relationship with Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia, into the spotlight.
The Russian billionaire announced over the weekend he had transferred stewardship of the club to trustees of the Chelsea Foundation, before confirmation that he hoped to sell.
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The confirmation of the Russian billionaire’s intentions to sell the club were confirmed on Wednesday, when has also stated he will not ask for any loans to be repaid as he takes a decision he insists is "in the best interest" of the club - whilst net proceeds will be donated to victims in Ukraine.
Sections of the Blues travelling support at Turf Moor decided to chant the name of their owner during the applause, which was intended as an act of solidarity and support to Ukraine and its people.
The chant enraged supporters in the Burnley end, who roundly booed the singing of Abramovich’s name – which could be interpreted as highly inappropriate and insensitive in the circumstances.
High-profile Burnley fan Alastair Campbell commented on Twitter after the chant: “Chelsea fans singing Abramovic name during pre-Match applause for (Ukraine flag) …. How heart warming (sic)”
Turkish billionaire Muhsin Bayrak is the latest bidder to enter the race to buy the Blues from Abramovich, his company AB Group Holding confirmed on Saturday.
Bayrak – an energy and technology magnate – is among those to have lodged an offer for the West London club.
“We can definitely confirm our bid for Chelsea,” AB Group Holding general manager Seda Bayrak told the PA news agency. “We have forwarded our offer regarding this.”
Bayrak has said: “We will fly the Turkish flag in London soon. We are negotiating the terms of the purchase of Chelsea with Roman Abramovich’s lawyers. We are in the negotiation phase for the signatures.”
On Wednesday, UFC star Conor McGregor claimed he wants to "explore" buying the Blues.
Swiss businessman Hansjorg Wyss has also revealed he has been offered the chance to buy.
Wyss has teamed up with American billionaire Todd Boehly, the part-owner of the LA Dodgers, in what is the highest profile bid for the club to date.
While Abramovich is hopeful of selling Chelsea, the deal could depend on whether the UK government decide to sanction him over the coming days, as the crisis in Ukraine rages on.
