The captains of both teams, including Chelsea, which is owned by Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich, wore wreaths of blue and yellow flowers, the colors of the Ukrainian flag, as they entered the pitch.
Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson, arrives with a wreath in Ukrainian colors, in solidarity with the country, victim of an invasion by Russia, ahead of the League Cup final against Liverpool, February 27, 2022 at Wembley Stadium in London JUSTIN TALLIS AFP
They put it at their feet before the tribute of the whole stadium, whose luminous panels on the edge of the field were also in blue and yellow, as were the display screens.
In the audience, a few Ukrainian flags and posters in the national colors were also scattered around the stadium, including in the half reserved for London supporters, even if there were more of them on the Reds side.
A banner bearing the Liverpool anthem and motto "You will never walk alone" is displayed in the colors of Ukraine, victim of an invasion by Russia, before the League Cup final between Chelsea and Liverpool, February 27, 2022 at Wembley Stadium in London JUSTIN TALLIS AFP
On Saturday, Abramovich announced in a press release that he would distance himself from the management of the club he has owned since 2003 to entrust it to the six administrators of the club's foundation.
Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich owner of Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in London, February 21, 2016 GLYN KIRK AFP/Archives
The announcement came as the noose tightens on Russian oligarchs and interests since the invasion of Ukraine and British authorities announced sanctions targeting Russian interests.
But the press release did not include any reference to Ukraine, for which the club was criticized, which therefore published a second press release on Sunday morning in which it described as "horrible and deplorable" the "situation" in Ukraine, adding "to pray for the peace".
© 2022 AFP