‘I had two goals: to create world – class teams on the pitch; and to ensure the club plays a positive role in all its communities’: Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich makes a rare statement on the club’s fight against anti-Semitism after defeating Frank Lampard
- Chelsea will continue their campaign against anti-semitism on Wednesday
- The Blues will celebrate Holocaust Remembrance Day before the Wolves take action
- Owner Roman Abramovich says he wants Chelsea to ‘welcome everyone’
Roman Abramovich is motivated to fight against Semitism at Chelsea which came from wanting the blues to ‘welcome everyone’.
Owner Abramovich’s rare personal appearance comes when Chelsea launch the latest in their long-running ‘Say No To Anti-Semitism’ campaign.
Chelsea will be celebrating Holocaust Remembrance Day before it kicks off in Wednesday’s Premier League competition with Wolves at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich says he wants the club to welcome everyone ahead of Holocaust Memorial Day
The Blues will make a pre-match recommendation before their game against the Wolves on Wednesday
The Blues focuses on the stories of 20 sportsmen and a woman, 17 of Jewish heritage, who were killed by the Nazis.
Wednesday’s pre-match lighting display will be part of the club’s wider ‘49 Flames ’project, honoring the number of Olympians killed in Nazi concentration camps.
Ahead of the show, the Russian owner Chelsea has moved on to explain why he remains so passionate about campaigning against the club’s Semitism, which has now been running for three years.
‘When I first came to Chelsea, I had two goals: to create world – class teams on the pitch; and to ensure that the club plays a positive role in all its communities, using football as a vehicle to motivate and engage people on the issues that matter, ‘said Abramovich. Chelsea club official website.
Abramovich has been leading an anti-Semitism campaign for several years
‘It has always been important for me to create a club that is welcoming to everyone. We actively celebrate our cultural and religious diversity and, through the work of the Chelsea Foundation, deliver programs to promote equality and tackle discrimination around the world.
Still, we are all too often reminded that there is more to do. Three years ago, we launched the ‘Say No to Anti-Semitism’ campaign. I am extremely proud of the level of progress we have made and the impact we have had since we started, and I am grateful for all the support from Chelsea fans who have taken this campaign to heart.
This show is the latest in our Say No to Anti-Semitism campaign and tells the story of the Holocaust through the eyes of Jewish athletes from around the world.
‘I hope that these stories will be a reminder of the horrors suffered during the Holocaust and also an encouragement to us all to do our utmost to prevent them from happening again.
The Russian said he came to Chelsea to create a world-class team and get involved in the community
‘We can all do something to challenge discrimination at our club, in our communities and in the world around us. With your help, Chelsea can play a key role in this vital work and show that we are truly an open club for all. ‘
British-Israeli street artist Solomon Souza has teamed up with Chelsea for the ’49 Flames’ project, just as he did when he created a huge wall at Stamford Bridge last year.
Following the meaningful exhibition with a physical art installation at Stamford Bridge, patrons will have the opportunity to visit when Government coronavirus regulations allow.
Chelsea have also made a coffee table book, which will be available by pre-order from the club’s megastore on Wednesday.