Good Morning Britain fans have criticised co-host Ben Shephard and Kate Garraway’s questions to Ukrainian football legend Andriy Shevchenko on Friday's programme.
The 45-year-old former Chelsea striker appeared on the ITV programme after announcing he will house child refugees in his London home and assist 150 Ukrainians settle in the UK.
But as the ITV co-hosts pressed a number of questions on Roman Abramovich, who has now had all his assets including Chelsea FC frozen after being placed on the UK sanctions list, viewers were not impressed.
Kate kicked off the interview by saying to the Ballon D’Or winner: “You are a footballing legend, but you will be known to people for your time at Chelsea, when Roman Abramovich bought you in. Presumably, you worked with him, he was a massive supporter of you, you were a huge signing.”
She continued: “It’s right at the heart of the awfulness of this - you’re Ukrainian, your family are in peril, and yet Roman Abramovich is Russian.
“How do you feel for your former club and the tensions about the loss of him from the club?”
Shevchenko stressed that the history of the London football club can’t be “cancelled”, adding: “It’s an incredible club and especially because it has incredible fans. I know it’s a difficult time for them, but I’m sure they’re going to come through.”
He then continued: “I have a chance to appeal to all the fans to play your part, do whatever you can to help Ukrainian people, they need peace.”
Kate then replied: “We’re going to come on to your campaign in a moment, but if you were still playing at Chelsea and heard fans chanting Abramovich’s name, how would that feel?”
But Shevchenko seemed reluctant to dwell on the Abramovich controversy and replied: “I know in Russia so many people who are against the war. Speak out. Go on the street. Send the message. The world wants peace.”
But the presenters seemed keen to press the issue, with host Ben then asking: “Would you prefer Chelsea fans weren’t shouting Abramovich’s name or are there mitigating circumstances do you feel?”
But Shevchenko brought the matter back to the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Ukraine, saying: “I’m here to send the message across the world and also touch the hearts of the people who support my country.
“To help to bring peace in my country, because the situation is very difficult. [They’re] not even opening humanitarian corridors.
“I know families who have been staying underground for 20 days - don’t have food, don’t have drinks. They need medical supplies. They need help.”
Good Morning Britain viewers were not impressed with the exchange, with many taking to Twitter to label the line of questioning “insensitive”.
One wrote: “Very leading questions, you can tell Shevchenko doesn't want to answer stop trying to press him. Where's your tact?”
A second wrote: “He clearly doesn’t want to talk about Abramovich - drop it!” as another said: “This man is traumatised and you’re trying to get him to talk about Abramovich? Tactful!”
Another viewer wrote: “His family is in a war zone, I wouldn’t think Chelsea is high up on his list.”
A social media user wrote: “Well done to him not taking the bait from Ben and Kate, it’s the last thing he is going to say so shut up!” as another posted: “You absolute muppets. Get Shevchenko on, who has family in Ukraine in danger, but all they do is grill him about how he feels about Chelsea.”
Another tweeted: “Stop asking him about Abramovich he clearly doesn't want to talk about him - insensitive…”
