Tuchel: We should all be together

condemnation. He said: “It’s not the moment to do this. If we show solidarity we show solidarity and we should do it together. We take the knee together.

“If an important person from our club or another club unfortunately dies we have a minute of respect. It is not the moment to give other messages.

“Listen, if we show solidarity we show solidarity and we should do it together

“It’s the moment to show respect. We want to do this. As a club we need our fans to commit to this minute of applause.

“We do it for Ukraine and there is no second opinion about this situation.

“They have our thoughts and our support and we should stand together. We should stand together as a club.”

Sanctions

Abramovich last week announced he was passing “stewardship and care” of the club to its charitable foundation amid calls from politicians for him to be the target of sanctions following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, then days later said he was seeking a buyer.

A Chelsea spokesperson said: “The club’s very firm view is that moments of respect or recognition should always be honoured by everyone present.”

Football clubs, players and fans across England came together to send messages of support for Ukraine yesterday.

Banners, cards, pennants and TV screens in the blue and yellow halves of the Ukrainian flag proclaiming ‘Football Stands Together’ were displayed at Premier League games.

Two blue and yellow wreaths were laid on the pitch by Chelsea and Manchester

City before the start of the Women’s Continental Cup final at Wimbledon’s Cherry Red Records Stadium.