---
title: "Emmanuel Petit launches scathing attack on Roman Abramovich"
canonical: "https://readchelsea.com/2016/09/06/emmanuel-petit-launches-scathing-attack-on-roman-abramovich/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Sam Tabuteau"
section: "Chelsea News"
published: "2016-09-06T13:49:33Z"
modified: "2016-09-06T13:55:47Z"
---

# Emmanuel Petit launches scathing attack on Roman Abramovich

Former Chelsea midfielder Emmanuel Petit has launched a scathing attack on Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich – expressing his anger at how he left the club in 2004 after a season-ending injury led to his departure.

Petit, who was talking to French TV station SFR Sport 1, as reported by the [Express](https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/707687/Chelsea-News-Emmanuel-Petit-owner-Roman-Abramovich), was known for his time at fierce London rivals Arsenal, playing 116 games and scoring 11 goals during three seasons in North London.

He then made a move to Barcelona in 2000 – but after just one season in Spain Petit joined Chelsea in a £7.5 million deal in 2001. The Frenchman was an integral member of Claudio Ranieri’s side following his transfer. But throughout the 2003-04 season Petit suffered a succession of knee injuries and as a result he only managed to make seven appearances all season.

He was subsequently released on a free from the game at the end of the season – and Petit has now opened up about what really happened between him, Abramovich ad the medical staff at the club.

> I really didn’t like the way it ended in the dressing room, with the medical staff and the president \[Abramovich\] at Chelsea. I was even disgusted. That’s why I left and didn’t give them any news about me after that.My performances had been suffering because my knee was a mess, but I put things off. I hid the truth from the medical staff. I still had the hunger.