Roman Abramovich still attached to Chelsea, says President Bruce Buck | Football News

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Roman Abramovich remains committed to Chelsea, despite missing matches at Stamford Bridge, according to club president Bruce Buck.

It is believed that the club owner has not attended any Chelsea matches since he was denied a visa in May 2018 and subsequently applied for Israeli citizenship prior to his arrival. to install in Tel Aviv.

Buck says that Abramovich still plays an important role in managing the club that he bought in 2003.

"All he's doing is reaffirming his commitment to Chelsea," Buck said Sky Sports News.

"We hear from him several times a day and he talks about players, business activities and our good causes.

"So, I would say that he's attached to Chelsea."

Abramovich donated to the new Holocaust galleries of the Imperial War Museum, which will open in 2021, and at the Chelsea Foundation's "Light From The Dark" event, Buck spoke of the desire to Abramovich to fight against anti-Semitism.

"It was his idea and he regularly checks with us how it goes, what we do and the effects we have, so yes, it's very important to him," Buck said.

Chelsea issued a very strong statement in December, after elements of the club's support had been accused of anti-Semitic chants at a Europa League match against Hungarian club Vidi, claiming that this behavior had "shamed club".

Antisemitic rumors were reported in a train in Susbad after Chelsea's 2-1 win over Brighton in December, and Buck was keen to point out that the club was working to eradicate the problem.

The club has invited groups of 150 fans and about 30 staff members and young players to visit the Auschwitz concentration camp in Poland in order to educate club badociates on the club. 39; Holocaust.

"We had some incidents and we were very upset, especially as the club is now very focused on a project thanks to Roman Abramovich 's impulse to attack him. anti-Semitism, "said Buck.

"We just wanted to make those very few fans who are acting inappropriately understand that we have a very strong position on this subject.

"I think the Chelsea fan base reflects society in general, and I think we've seen an increase in anti-Semitic incidents in recent years, and that's reflected in our fan base.

"That's the main reason we have this project – we have to do our part to do something about it."

Buck has also condemned racist incidents in football in recent weeks.

Chelsea's Callum Hudson-Odoi was one of the racially abused players in Montenegro during England's 5-1 win over the Euro 2020 qualifiers.

"We need to investigate all these problems, punish and treat people appropriately," Buck said.

When asked if he would support the Chelsea players, if they chose to leave the field in response to racist abuse, Buck said, "I would support that."

"I think we need some guidelines on how to handle these situations, but yes, I would certainly support that."