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Football London
Football London
Sport
Alan Smith

Why Roman Abramovich banner remained at Stamford Bridge despite Chelsea group's request

At least one prominent Chelsea supporters group requested the removal of the Roman Empire banner that remained in place for yesterday's win over Newcastle United at Stamford Bridge.

But there is an expectation that it will be taken down before the next home game, against Brentford on April 2, and its non-removal was a result of resources being stretched at the end of an unprecedented week of upheaval for the club.

On a surreal and subdued afternoon in West London, where Kai Havertz scored a magical goal late on, there were two choruses of the disqualified owner's name that were both drowned out and hushed as Chelsea fans come to terms with the new and uncertain reality.

Thomas Tuchel's players may be able to continue without too much change in their day-to-day work but around the fringes there are more questions than answers around the can and cannots.

The logo of Three, the mobile network company who asked to suspend its sponsorship last Thursday, remained on the shirts because the club remains unsure if it can be supplied with new, blank shirts from Nike under the conditions of the special licence to operate granted by government.

Three branding remained up around Stamford Bridge. Again, because decision-makers were not entirely sure if they were allowed to take it down.

But the mobile network was removed from the electronic advertising boards in addition to Hyundai and Blue Fuel, the in-house energy drink supplier, because it is an Abramovich-owned company.

Match programmes, which contained no mention of the 55-year-old oligarch, could not be sold but were given to media members before the game, while the club shop remained shut and the only people admitted to the museum were those who had paid for tickets before the government sanctions were imposed.

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