Grant has to face racism, says Zahavi

Avram Grant would be more popular at Chelsea if he wasn't Jewish, his agent claimed today.

Pini Zahavi, who is also an Israeli Jew, has accused England of anti-Semitic behaviour towards his client and friend.

The agent has known Grant for over 20 years and also helped broker the 2003 sale of Chelsea to Abramovich.

"There are no words to describe the mistreatment Avram is receiving," Zahavi said in an interview with Israeli newspaper Ma'ariv.

"They are sucking his blood on a daily basis regardless of his victories and what he achieves.

"You know what, maybe if he hadn't been Israeli or Jewish, it might have been different. There is some sort of anti-Semitism here, especially if one remembers who appointed him. Abramovich is Jewish and also Russian. So the Chelsea fans love him, but the rest of the fans in England don't."