'If they discuss this in parliament, we have to worry about their priorities': Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel hits out at Boris Johnson's spokesperson for telling fans to stop 'inappropriate' chants of Roman Abramovich's name

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Thomas Tuchel has questioned the government's 'priorities' after Boris Johnson's spokesperson told Chelsea fans to stop the 'completely inappropriate' chanting of Russian owner Roman Abramovich's name.

Blues fans again expressed their backing for Abramovich during Sunday's win over Newcastle, after he was sanctioned by the government last week over his ties to Russian president Vladimir Putin.

Abramovich's assets were frozen, with Chelsea placed under a special licence which allows them to operate but unable to generate new revenue.

The billionaire has brought unprecedented success to Chelsea since he bought the club in 2003, but the spokesman for the Prime Minister insists supporters should not let that blind them to his links to the man leading the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

'We recognise the strength of feeling around people's clubs but that does not excuse behaviour which is completely inappropriate at this time,' the spokesman said.

'I think people can show passion and support for their club without resorting to that sort of stuff.'

But Tuchel, who is preparing his side for their Champions League clash with Lille on Wednesday night, urged the government to readjust their focus onto more urgent issues.

The German said on Tuesday: 'I heard about it some minutes ago. I don't know if these are the most important subjects to be talked about in parliament.

'If they are being discussed in parliament, maybe we need to worry about the priorities of discussion.'  

Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel questioned the 'priorities of discussion' for the UK government

Chelsea fans were told to stop the 'completely inappropriate' chanting of Roman Abramovich

The sanctions imposed on Chelsea last week will hit Tuchel's team in the coming days after limitations were put on their spending for travel to away matches. 

It means the club will be unable to fly to Middlesbrough and back for their FA Cup quarter-final. Instead they will have to undertake a 10-hour round-trip by coach consisting of 536 miles from their Cobham training base in Surry to the Riverside Stadium.

The Stamford Bridge outfit have been told the £20,000 cap imposed by the government on the per-match travel expenses would not cover the cost of hiring a plane to take them to the Riverside Stadium. 

Chelsea's next match is on Wednesday night at French outfit Lille in the Champions League last 16. However, with travel arrangements in place before the sanctions were enforced those plans are allowed to remain intact. 

'We want to find solutions, we want to play the match on Saturday as much as we want to play in the Champions League', Tuchel added. 

The government has said it is still 'open' to Chelsea being sold but that a new application would be needed to enable a sale. So far, the spokesman said, the club had not applied for a variation to its strict special licence.

'We are open to the sale of the club, we would consider an application for a licence to allow that to happen in the right circumstances,' the spokesman said.

'But it is for Chelsea to determine the exact process. My understanding is potential buyers would approach the club, who would then need to apply for a further amended licence to facilitate the sale.

Abramovich was sanctioned last week over his ties to Russian president Vladimir Putin

Sanctions mean Chelsea will be unable to fly to and from Middlesbrough for their FA Cup clash

'As far as I'm aware that hasn't happened at this point.'

Abramovich first put the club up for sale on March 2 and a number of interested parties are understood to remain in the frame despite the imposition of sanctions.

These include British billionaire Nick Candy, a consortium featuring Los Angeles Dodgers part-owner Todd Boehly and Swiss billionaire Hansjorg Wyss, plus interest from former Liverpool chairman Martin Broughton.

The government will oversee the sale process to ensure there is no benefit to Abramovich, with New York merchant bank the Raine Group handling the sale.

Downing Street did not rule out the hotel at Chelsea's Stamford Bridge ground being used to house Ukrainian refugees.

The PM's official spokesman said: 'We would certainly want to see wherever is possible (used), we are open to all options.'