Roman Abramovich calls Emma Hayes to offer personal congratulations on WSL title win

Roman Abramovich has sent his personal congratulations to Emma Hayes after watching her Chelsea team win the Women’s Super League title.

Telegraph Sport understands that Chelsea’s billionaire owner watched Chelsea thrash Reading 5-0 on television on Sunday before contacting Hayes himself.

Abramovich is said to enjoy a close working relationship with Hayes, who has been manager of the women’s team since 2012, and met with her in Jerusalem in 2019.

Knowing that Chelsea could clinch the title by beating Reading, Abramovich cleared his diary so that he could watch the match and was delighted with the success.

Abramovich’s personal interest underlines Chelsea’s commitment to the women’s game and Hayes is now preparing her team for this weekend’s Champions League final against Barcelona.

Hayes has previously spoken of Abramovich’s interest in women’s football, saying: “When I came to Chelsea in 2012 we were an amateur team but thanks to the owner’s enthusiasm we have built a lot in a short time. What success we have achieved we have achieved together and I honestly feel we are more joined-up than ever at the moment.

“I am excited for Chelsea’s future. Our owner is a big fan of women’s football and he’s always asking me what he can do to help. I’m more than conscious of the challenges the women’s game still faces but I think there are enough owners, broadcasters and fans who want the best for us.”

It is also striking that Abramovich contacted Hayes, even though he is yet to personally congratulate the men’s head coach Thomas Tuchel on taking Chelsea to the FA Cup and Champions League finals.

Tuchel last Friday confirmed that he is yet to have any personal contact with Abramovich, despite being confident that his employer is enjoying recent results and performances.

With Uefa currently deciding whether or not the men’s Champions League final, which Chelsea are also in, will be switched to Wembley, it is so far unknown whether or not Abramovich plans to attend.

Abramovich was at both of Chelsea’s previous Champions League final appearances, in 2008 and 2012, but he has been a less frequent visitor to games in recent years after not renewing his UK visa.

In theory, Abramovich could travel to England on his Israeli passport to watch Chelsea against Manchester City at Wembley but Downing Street has previously claimed that he cannot work in the UK and it is unclear whether or not attending a game would be classified as work.