Jamie Carragher says Chelsea should be "embarrassed" after their announcement that Roman Abramovich will be stepping back from his duties as the club's owner.
The Blues chief has theoretically relinquished control to the club's foundation, in a move described as "a hospital pass" by Gary Neville after Boris Johnson confirmed that the UK would impose sanctions on Russian businesses following their invasion of Ukraine.
Chelsea then released a statement on Sunday morning which again fell short of condemning Russia 's actions.
A short statement on their website read: “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.”
Ahead of the Blues' Carabao Cup final against Liverpool, Carragher said on Sky Sports : "I think that statement from Roman Abramovich that we’ve just seen, I think it almost forced Chelsea to put something out this morning because whether it was the trust people on the board, whether it was Thomas Tuchel and the players, they must’ve been embarrassed."
He added: "I would feel by that Abramovich statement, the fact there was no mention at all of what was going on right now.
"The whole world can see what’s going on and I think it was a really poor statement to come out with.
"Chelsea came out this morning, maybe could’ve been a little bit stronger themselves in that statement but, as I said, I don’t think it’s been a great 24 hours for Chelsea and Thomas Tuchel and his players I’m sure will want to rectify that."
Fellow pundit Gary Neville shared Carragher's perspective, noting those who are now tasked with running the club.
"I think when the news came through part way through the Manchester City-Everton game last night, maybe myself and most others that saw that statement thought this sounds like a noble gesture, the right thing to do," Neville said.
"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.
"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 questions then answers.
"In fact, if anything I thought it was to be fair a cowardly approach to sort of throw a hospital pass to good people on the charitable and foundation board when it’s quite clear he runs the club with Marina Granovskaia and Petr Cech on the football side.
"Thomas Tuchel’s just made it clear. These owners of the top six clubs are insulated from reality.
"They think they can put a smart PR team around them and con us with fancy words but unfortunately it doesn’t work and, no, there’s no way the charitable foundation at Chelsea are running the club and I’m not quite sure why Roman Abramovich made that statement.
"If he wanted to make a statement of any note it would of been whether he supports the war at Ukraine or he actually doesn’t support the war at Ukraine."
