Chelsea fans arrive at Stamford Bridge for what could be final home game of Roman Abramovich era before club is sold

CHELSEA fans covered the club's now distanced kit sponsors up with black tape as they arrived for the game against Newcastle.

Sunday's 1-0 win over newly mega-rich Newcastle could be the last home game of the Roman Abramovich era.

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The billionaire was sanctioned by the UK government due to his close ties with Russian president Vladimir Putin, who ordered the invasion of neighbouring Ukraine.

As a result, Chelsea have been directly affected by the government's sanctions.

And the club has been left unable to sell home or away match tickets.

Chelsea were also forced to close their club shop at Stamford Bridge as they're banned from selling merchandise.

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Ingoing and outgoing transfers are also banned, and the club cannot renew players' contracts.

The likes of Antonio Rudiger, club captain Cesar Azpilicueta and Andreas Christensen could all leave for FREE in the summer when their contracts are up.

Chelsea have also lost £170million in sponsorship between just Three and car manufacturer Hyundai.

And some fans feel the club are paying a price for Abramovich's involvement with Putin.

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Fans could be seen with tape over kit sponsor Three's logo.

Whilst one fan wrote on a sign: "Don't use Chelsea for your bulls**t politics. Forever Chelsea."

A fanzine also had Abramovich's face on the front of it, alongside Azpilicueta.

A banner of Abramovich was also on display at Stamford Bridge.

Former owner Ken Bates believes 'ordinary people' are being punished.

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Speaking from his home in Monte Carlo, Bates said: "The fact that you can't buy a Chelsea match programme must mean that Putin is s****ing himself and all the ordinary people of Moscow are hiding in their cellars because they can't see a Chelsea match on TV.

"As usual it is the ordinary people who are suffering. You've probably got people working at Chelsea saying do they have a job?

"What is their future? Do they have security? And fans at Chelsea.

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"What have they got to do with Putin bombing maternity hospitals in Ukraine?

"That is hurting ordinary, English citizens. Makes no difference at all to Russia."