Thomas Tuchel has questioned the priorities of the United Kingdom government after Chelsea supporters were criticised for chanting the name of owner Roman Abramovich.
Some Chelsea fans continued to express their backing for Abramovich during Sunday's 1-0 win over Newcastle United after he was sanctioned by the UK's government last week.
Abramovich had his assets frozen in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, leading to uncertainty over Chelsea's future.
The Russian billionaire can still apply for a licence that would allow him to sell the club, though he cannot receive any proceeds from a sale in such circumstances.
With Chelsea fans continuing to chant in support of Abramovich, a spokesperson for UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson's called for them to stop.
"We recognise the strength of feeling around people's clubs but that does not excuse behaviour which is completely inappropriate at this time," the spokesperson said.
"I think people can show passion and support for their club without resorting to that sort of stuff."
When those comments were put to Tuchel ahead of Wednesday's Champions League tie with Lille, however, he urged those in power to focus on more pressing matters.
"I don't know if in these times this is the most important subject to be discussed in parliament," Tuchel said in a news conference.
"If fans chants need to be discussed in parliament, maybe we need to worry about the priorities of discussions there, but okay.
"There's no need to comment from me. We have far more urgent things to discuss and handle."
Off-the-field talk again dominated Tuchel's media conference, though the former Paris Saint-Germain boss reiterated it is business as usual on the field.
Chelsea make the trip to Lille for the second leg of their last-16 tie boasting a 2-0 lead thanks to goals from Kai Havertz and Christian Pulisic three weeks ago.
"There is not more uncertainty. It's the same situation like in the last days. There are no updates," he said.
"Before we discuss a new owner, a new owner needs to arrive, be approved and be allowed to own a football club. Then we can discuss it if it's necessary.
"I did not have a choice to take this role [as spokesperson]. Do I need it? No. Listen, it's more or less day by day.
"We talk inside and of course we have people who are in charge of different roles and different responsibilities but to the outside it is more or less me who talks.
"I don't think too much about it. I try to be honest, give you an insight, provide you information from a coach's heart. Maybe this is what I try and you can rely on.
"I am more than happy if things calm down and we can speak about football."
Tuchel will not let speculation regarding the ownership situation distract his side, though he admitted last week's sanctions – including a cap on spending – have had an impact.
Chelsea already booked flights to France before restrictions were put in place, but they may be forced to drive to Middlesbrough for Saturday's FA Cup tie.
"There are restrictions, which we have to deal with it," he said. "There are adjustments in our amount of staff who is travelling, how many rooms we have in hotels, how we arrive.
"That will come soon. To my understanding everything is in place now we can arrive on a professional level. It is not about luxury, it is not about bling bling.
"It is a professional level of sports where we play having only two days between matches while our opponents have four days. To arrive and decrease the possibility of injuries.
"For that, it is better to arrive with a plane than to sit in a bus. We try to be as professional as possible in the frame that we can do it.
"To my understanding, we have a framework to go to Lille and play the game in Lille where there will be absolutely no excuses regarding this.
"It is like already a bit more difficult to arrange things in the best way possible in the FA Cup.
"As long as we have shirts, as long as we are 'alive', as long as we are a team and arrive with our players we will be competitive and fight hard for our success.
"We owe it to the people that support us in very invisible way. We are in the spotlight. It is our responsibility to do so and we will."
On this day in 2018: Arsene Wenger announces his Arsenal exit
On this day in 2018, Arsene Wenger announced he would step down as Arsenal manager at the end of the season after almost 22 years in the role.
Appointed in September 1996, the Frenchman had presided over a glittering period in the club’s history which yielded three Premier League titles, the last of them famously secured by his “Invincibles”, who went through the 2003-04 league campaign unbeaten.
In addition, former Nancy, Monaco and Grampus Eight boss Wenger guided the club to FA Cup glory on seven occasions and secured 20 successive seasons of Champions League football during a reign spanning 1,235 matches, 828 of them in the top flight.
However, his announcement came amid mounting disquiet over the club’s showing in both the Premier League and Europe, with three FA Cup successes in four years failing to placate his critics.
Wenger said: “After careful consideration and following discussions with the club, I feel it is the right time for me to step down at the end of the season.
“I am grateful for having had the privilege to serve the club for so many memorable years. I managed the club with full commitment and integrity.”
Majority owner Stan Kroenke paid tribute to the man who had gone toe-to-toe with Manchester United counterpart Sir Alex Ferguson and Chelsea’s Jose Mourinho.
Kroenke said: “This is one of the most difficult days we have ever had in all our years in sport.
“One of the main reasons we got involved with Arsenal was because of what Arsene has brought to the club on and off the pitch.
“His longevity and consistency over such a sustained period at the highest level of the game will never be matched. Arsene has unparalleled class and we will always be grateful to him.”
Wenger, described by Ferguson as “without doubt one of the greatest Premier League managers” and by former Gunners skipper Tony Adams as “the greatest Arsenal manager”, bowed out after a 1-0 final-day victory at Huddersfield on May 13, 2018.
The 68-year-old said afterwards: “I feel that I got a lot of respect not only from our fans, but from England. I would reiterate I loved English football, but I also learned to love England. You do not stay 22 years if you don’t like it.”
Raith Rovers keep unlikely title bid alive with narrow victory at Inverness
Raith Rovers rode their luck to keep alive their slender cinch Championship title hopes with a smash-and-grab 1-0 win at third-bottom Inverness.
Caley Thistle, looking for a third successive win to further boost their survival push, hit the goal frame four times and saw visiting goalkeeper Kevin Dabrowski produce a host of stunning saves.
But in the end it was Lewis Vaughan’s 49th-minute strike that settled the contest as Raith, who could have seen leaders Dundee United win the league on Saturday if they had lost at Caledonian Stadium, close the gap on the pacesetters to three points.
Duncan Ferguson’s Inverness created several good chances to take the lead in a one-sided first half, with Dabrowski keeping out Cammy Harper’s 25-yard free-kick before Alex Samuel was denied by a goalline block.
The hosts came even closer in the 21st minute when Harper fired against the bar and then saw Dabrowski fling up a leg and somehow manage to block his follow-up.
Rovers had done little to prove they were the team at the top end of the able in the first half but four minutes after the restart they took the lead, top scorer Vaughan getting on the end of a flick-on to coolly guide the ball past Mark Ridgers.
That proved to be the game’s decisive moment as the Raith goal continued to lead a charmed life, Samuel seeing a curling shot come back off the far post and the brilliant Dabrowski turned over a shot from the same player.
Inverness then hit the crossbar twice in quick succession, Danny Devine and James Carragher seeing headers come back off the goal frame, before Dabrowski tipped over a stoppage-time effort as Raith somehow held on for the three points.
Former Wales winger Leighton James dies, aged 71
Former Wales winger Leighton James has died at the age of 71.
James’ former clubs Burnley and Swansea – where he spent 13 years of a colourful 19-year senior career – were among those to pay tribute to a gifted player who won 54 caps for his country.
“We are sorry to hear the news of Leighton’s passing,” Burnley chairman Alan Pace said of James, who had three spells at Turf Moor and scored 81 goals in 399 appearances for the Clarets.
“He left an indelible mark on this football club and stories of his playing skills still echo around Turf Moor.
“Our thoughts are with his family at this sad time.”
Swansea-born James made his Burnley debut in 1970 – his pace and trickery quickly making him a Clarets’ favourite – before joining Derby for a then club-record fee of £310,000 and having a one-season stop at QPR.
James returned to Burnley in 1978 before joining his hometown club two years later and helping their rise in to the old First Division under John Toshack.
“Swansea City is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Leighton James at the age of 71,” read a club statement.
“The gifted winger, widely-regarded as one of the Swans’ finest players, was a key figure in the side that secured a first-ever promotion to the top-flight in 1981, scoring a stunning goal in the victory over Preston North End at Deepdale to complete the club’s rise.
“He went on to star the following campaign as John Toshack’s side took the fight to the elite of English football, eventually finishing sixth in the First Division.
“The thoughts of everyone at Swansea City are with Leighton’s friends and family at this sad time.”
After three years at Swansea, James went on to play for Sunderland, Bury and Newport before taking his career full circle with a third spell at Burnley.
James’ 10 international goals included the match-winning penalty against England in the 1976-77 British Home Championship – Wales’ only ever victory against their neighbours at Wembley.
The Football Association of Wales posted on X: “It is with great sadness that we share the news that @Cymru international Leighton James has sadly passed away.
“Amongst his most famous moments with the dragon on his shirt was scoring a penalty in a famous win over England at Wembley in 1977.
“He was a star of the only Cymru team to top a qualifying group before going on to reach the quarter-finals of Euro 1976.”
James held various coaching positions in South Wales after his playing career and worked in the media, where he developed a reputation as a forthright columnist and pundit.
Both Burnley and Swansea have confirmed they will wear black armbands in their respective matches against Sheffield United and Huddersfield on Saturday as a tribute to James.
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