ONE System | 27/01/2021 09:01
Roman Abramovich (Chelsea)
To mark today’s International Holocaust Remembrance Day, Chelsea will hold a special tribute tonight (Wednesday) before the opening whistle in the game against Wolves at 20:00. The London Club, with Thomas Tuchel premiered on the lines, will present an exciting commemorative performance in memory of Holocaust victims at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea marks three years to the ‘Say No to Antisemitism’ campaign, and launches a unique exhibition and commemorative book in memory of Jewish athletes murdered in the Holocaust, all at the initiative of team owner Roman Abramovich. The stadium will be darkened and a special light show will be screened to commemorate 20 athletes who were murdered by the Nazis.
At the entrance to the London Stadium, a unique exhibition will be displayed that will illustrate the stories of the athletes mentioned, and commemorated by the club in a unique project called ’49 Flames’, initiated and funded by Abramovich and in collaboration with British-Israeli street artist Solomon Sousa, named after the Olympic athletes.
Chelsea fans will also be able to experience the exhibition at future games and during tours of the stadium, one of the walls of which is adorned with a huge mural commemorating Jewish footballers who were murdered in the Holocaust. In addition, the club is launching a book of portraits of Jewish athletes, which includes opening remarks by prominent figures from around the world, including President Reuven Rivlin, in order to continue to preserve the athletes’ heritage by sharing their stories and inspiring future generations. The unique book will be available starting tonight at the Chelsea store.
Abramovich, In a personal message in the commemorative book: “When I came to Chelsea, I had two ambitions: to create a world-class team, and to ensure that the club plays a positive role in all our communities, using football as a tool for inspiration and involvement. Through the Chelsea Foundation, we promote equality and struggle programs In racism all over the world. And there is still a lot of work to be done in the world. Three years ago we launched the campaign against anti-Semitism, and I am proud of the fans for their great support for the campaign, and for the positive progress we have made since we set out. We must not forget the atrocities of the Holocaust “Everything we can to prevent them from happening again.”
As part of the global struggle of the Chelsea club and its owners against racism in sports, in recent years the team players and fans met with Holocaust survivors, visited concentration and extermination camps, went on an official delegation of the team in the “March of Life” and joined many international organizations, including the World Jewish Congress and the League against the World . The ongoing campaign continues to gain unprecedented international exposure, sweeping government officials, leading organizations around the world, sports organizations and many opinion leaders.
