Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has launched an anti-semitism campaign at the club.

He rarely speaks to the fans however the Russian felt the need to launch the campaign personally as he wrote in a statement featured in the club’s Matchday programme against Bournemouth on Wednesday night.

The Bournemouth match happened to be the first since the Holocaust Memorial Day on January 27 and Abramovich called on Chelsea fans to do their part in the campaign to tackle anti-Semitism.

In his words, Abramovich wrote that: “It has always been important to me to create a club that is welcoming to everyone.”

“We actively celebrate cultural and religious diversity and deliver programmes to promote equality and tackle discrimination. However, we are all too often reminded there is more to be done.”

He went on to dedicate the match to Holocaust Memorial Day and describing as ‘a crime without parallel in history.

“This evening I am proud to launch an initiative to raise awareness of and to tackle antisemitism in all its forms, and hope to have your support for this work.” he said.

“This is the start of an important journey and we all have a part to play. We can all do something to challenge discrimination at our club as well as within the world around us.

“With your help, Chelsea can play a leading role in this vital area of work and demonstrate to everybody that we are a club open to all.” he concluded.

The campaign was prompted by the controversial chants Chelsea fans made about their Spanish player Alvaro Morata.