Chelsea fans shout ‘Roman Abramovich!’ as they clash with French police before the match with Lille (photos)

French police in heavy clothing intervened when a large crowd of Chelsea fans gathered outside the bar Les 3 Brasseurs (3 Distilleries), opposite the Lille-Flanders station.

As bottles were fired at police, officials fired tear gas and arrested rioters, many of whom were intoxicated.

Chelsea owner Abramovich has been sanctioned by the British government, which says it has proven its ties to Russian leader Vladimir Putin.

The Russian-Israeli billionaire has put the London club up for sale on March 2 since the invasion of Ukraine but fans continue to cheer his name.

A government spokesman has advised Chelsea fans not to call him Abramovich, as it is “inappropriate at the moment”.

A Lille police spokesman said the violence started yesterday around 6.30pm.

“We were called to come to the bar after the complaints about the behavior of the English fans. “Roads around the area were blocked and some isolated riot spots calmed down,” the spokesman said.

The amount of Chelsea fans had started consuming drinks since arriving the day before for the qualifying match, which Chelsea won 2-1 anyway.

Many fans say Abromovich was penalized without evidence after the Russian attack on Ukraine.

Rustam Doroshenko, a 27-year-old from Poltava, in central Ukraine, was among Chelsea fans defending Abramovich.

“His era has been a dream for the Chelsea team. He has shown that he loves the club and seems to have been convicted without any trial attempt. “I am not a politician but I believe there should have been more justice.”

“I have been a Chelsea supporter for 15 years and there are many in Ukraine who support the club.”

In addition to cheering for Abramovich, fans chanted insults at British Prime Minister Johnson, blaming him for sentencing the Chelsea owner without trial.

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