Roman Abramovich announces launch of Chelsea's campaign to tackle anti-Semitism in programme notes: 'This is the start of an important journey to challenge discrimination'

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Roman Abramovich has launched a campaign to tackle anti-Semitism with a foreword written in Chelsea's programme notes on Wednesday evening. 

The Chelsea chairman rarely releases statements to the public but wrote before the club's game against Bournemouth at Stamford Bridge on a new initiative to challenge discrimination.

The Bournemouth match was the first since the Holocaust Memorial Day on January 27 and Abramovich urged fans of the club to do their part in the campaign to tackle anti-Semitism.

Roman Abramovich launched Chelsea's campaign to tackle anti-Semitism in his programme

'It has always been important to me to create a club that is welcoming to everyone,' Abramovich wrote. '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.'

Abramovich went on to dedicate the match to Holocaust Memorial Day and described the holocaust 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.

'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. 

Chelsea supporters caused controversy earlier this season over a chant about Alvaro Morata

'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.'

Chelsea supporters caused controversy earlier this season with a chant about new signing Alvaro Morata that included anti-Semitic content. 

The chant mocked Tottenham's traditionally Jewish fanbase with the use of the Y-word and Morata made it known he was uncomfortable with being connected to it. 

Abramovich is the chairman of the Federation of Jewish Communities of Russia and invited holocaust survivors to speak to Chelsea players at the club's training ground earlier this year.