Gary Neville takes swipe at Roman Abramovich over "cowardly" Chelsea statement

dailystar.co.uk:

Gary Neville has taken a swipe at Chelsea over the club's "cowardly" approach to the crisis in Ukraine following the Russian invasion.

The club's Russian owner announced on Saturday evening that he has handed over control of the club to the board of trustees for Chelsea's charitable foundation.He will remain the owner though, with further anger caused by the club's official statement on the Ukraine crisis on Sunday.Chelsea's released a 24-word statement which reads: "The situation in Ukraine is horrific and devastating.

Chelsea FC’s thoughts are with everyone in Ukraine. Everyone at the club is praying for peace."Neville criticised the club whilst appearing on Sky Sports as a pundit ahead of Sunday's Carabao Cup final between Chelsea and Liverpool.The former Manchester United defender labelled Chelsea's approach to the situation "cowardly" and slammed the handling of Abramovich's decision."I think when the news came through part way through the Manchester City-Everton game last night," he said of Abramovich's decision."Maybe myself and most others that saw that statement thought this sounds like a noble gesture, the right thing to do.Was Chelsea's approach to the Ukraine crisis "cowardly"?

Let is know in the comments section below."But, when you then look at who the charity trustees are, Emma Hayes the women’s manager, Piara Power who set up kick it out, John Devine, it’s quite clear that they’re not going to be running Chelsea Football Club."He also believes that the Blues owner made a mistake in releasing a statement explaining his decision.Neville added: “One of the smartest things that I think Roman Abramovich has done the last 20 years is not speak, not make statements because the statement he made last night left.