An emotional Thomas Tuchel has demanded reporters to stop asking him questions over the Ukraine-Russia conflict because he feels ‘bad’ and that he’s ‘not a politician’.
The visibly annoyed Chelsea boss was taking questions ahead of his side’s FA Cup clash with Luton Town on Wednesday but was confronted a number of times on the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia.
Reporters also tried to probe the German on the Blues’ Russian billionaire owner Roman Abramovich after he announced that he planned to hand Chelsea over to the club’s trustees following the fallout in eastern Europe.
However, when asked about the horrors of war in his Tuesday press conference, Tuchel snapped and demanded not to be asked questions on Ukraine.
‘Listen, listen, listen you have to stop, I’m not a politician,’ Tuchel told a reporter when asked about the situation currently unravelling in Ukraine.
‘You have to stop, honestly, I can only repeat it and I feel bad to repeat it because I’ve never experienced war.
‘So even to talk about it I feel bad because I’m very privileged – I sit here in peace. I do the best I can but you have to stop asking me these questions because I have no answers for you.’
Thomas Tuchel demanded reporters to stop asking him questions on the Ukraine crisis
The Chelsea boss was repeatedly asked about Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on Tuesday
A view of central square of the City Hall building in Kharkiv, Ukraine, after heavy shelling from Russia on Tuesday
Tuchel admitted he felt bad about living a privileged life and that he’s never experienced war
A clearly frustrated Tuchel then slapped the table after being asked for his opinion on the conflict and Abramovich’s current status as owner of Chelsea.
Earlier on in the heated press conference, Tuchel revealed how Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was seriously impacting him – but revealed he and the players were looking to remain focused on the club’s upcoming fixtures.
‘It’s horrible. It’s horrible,’ Tuchel said when asked about the war. ‘There can’t be any other opinion about it, but why should we be more distracted by you. It’s out there. We know there are more important things out there. This will never change.
‘Everyone in Europe has noise in their head that nobody likes. Still you try to come to work and try to do the best in your job as possible.’
Tuchel refused to be drawn in on questions about Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich (right)
Tuchel also refused to be dragged into the politics currently surrounding the club and its owner Abramovich.
When asked whether Abramovich should have a role in football, Tuchel responded: ‘It’s too much for me to answer. I am not aware of the details and the whole situation.
‘There are situations much more important than football, this will never change. Situations like war are so much more important.’
The questions come days after Abramovich announced his intention to place the stewardship of the club in the hands of the trustees of the Chelsea Foundation.
As a result, the trustees of the Chelsea Foundation have made a serious incident report to the Charity Commission who are seeking further information from the trustees following Saturday night’s announcement.
The Russian billionaire announced his intention to place stewardship of the club in their hands
It is understood the Foundation’s six trustees held a meeting on Sunday and are seeking legal clarity and advice from the Commission over how, and whether, the Russian billionaire’s proposal can be enacted.
Trustees are understood to be concerned over conflicts of interest which may arise from them holding stewardship of the club, and whether a suitable legal structure can be put in place to afford them stewardship that falls within Charity Commission guidelines.
Among the Foundation’s Trustees are Chelsea Women head coach Emma Hayes, British Olympic Association chair Hugh Robertson and Piara Powar, the executive director of the anti-discrimination Fare network. The club chair, Bruce Buck, is also the chair of board of trustees of the Foundation.
Abramovich’s announcement came two days after Russia invaded Ukraine, and followed calls for him to be banned from owning Chelsea and other UK assets by Labour MP Chris Bryant.
A spokesperson for Abramovich said that the oligarch was attempting to broker peace between Russia and Ukraine.
Chelsea will be expected to spell out how the club and the foundation can remain separate entities if they are run by the same people, although a number of the trustees may opt to walk away due to their own misgivings.
Trustees are understood to be concerned over conflicts of interest which may arise from them holding stewardship of the club
Several trustees are concerned about conflict of interest issues and being compromised due to Abramovich’s alleged links to Vladimir Putin’s Russian regime.
Chelsea do not need all trustees to agree in order for the plan to go ahead. Initial discussions with the trustees have already taken place with another video call planned for later this week.
Abramovich said in a statement issued on Saturday night: ‘During my nearly 20-year ownership of Chelsea FC, I have always viewed my role as a custodian of the club, whose job it is ensuring that we are as successful as we can be today, as well as build for the future, while also playing a positive role in our communities.
‘I have always taken decisions with the club’s best interest at heart. I remain committed to these values. That is why I am today giving trustees of Chelsea’s charitable Foundation the stewardship and care of Chelsea FC.
‘I believe that currently they are in the best position to look after the interests of the club, players, staff, and fans.’
Among the Foundation’s Trustees are Chelsea Women head coach Emma Hayes
Ahead of Sunday’s Carabao Cup final defeat, a Blues statement said: ‘The situation in Ukraine is horrific and devastating,’ it read. ‘Chelsea FC’s thoughts are with everyone in Ukraine. Everyone at the club is praying for peace.’
It failed to mention Russia or Abramovich, however, despite the businessman being thrust into the spotlight following Russia’s incursion of its neighbouring country.
Finance experts have also since claimed Chelsea could go ‘bankrupt’ if the government were to impose sanctions on Abramovich.
Bloomberg also reported investors and private equity firms, including some from the United States, are on high alert if the £1.5billion-valued Blues are put up for sale as they await clarity from the government on any future Russian sanctions.
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