Alan Shearer has defended supporters of both Newcastle United and Chelsea as debate rages on about the morality of foreign owners in the English game. As a result of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Blues’ owner Roman Abramovich has been sanctioned by the UK government which has left the club in a perilous situation.
A new buyer will need to be found for the European champions amid the ongoing problems in Eastern Europe. Despite not facing any similar issues, the Saudi-backed ownership group at St James’ Park have been on the end of criticism in recent weeks with questions asked about their integrity given what has been happening in the Middle Eastern nation.
Speaking ahead of Chelsea’s FA Cup quarter-final victory against Middlesbrough, Alan Shearer jumped to the defence of the fans of the two clubs.
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"You can still support your club and want your club to win. But, you don't have to agree with your owners and who and what they are,” he claimed. “You can condemn wars all around the world, we all do.
“Whether that's in Ukraine now, or Yemen or indeed the human rights issues all around the world, or even what went on in Saudi Arabia last weekend. Fans rarely get a say in who their owners are of their football clubs, that's for the government and governing bodies to decide.
"My granddad followed Newcastle, my dad does, I do, my son does, his kids will do. No one is going to stop me supporting my club, very much like these Chelsea fans here who have made it here today.
"It's not the fans' fault at all. You can't blame the fans for what’s gone on and what's going on. Chelsea and Newcastle will be around a lot longer than any fan and indeed, any owner."
