Chelsea win over Palmeiras was 'best moment in our life' for Dubai-based Keralite fans

Twice visa rejections denied Jamir Valiyamannil the chance to visit Stamford Bridge but the Club World Cup final triumph made up for it all

Chelsea celebrate winning the Fifa Club World Cup final after defeating Palmeiras at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, February 12, 2022. All images Chris Whiteoak / The National

Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta celebrates winning the Fifa Club World Cup final in Abu Dhabi.

Kai Havertz scores the winner for Chelsea against Palmeiras in the Fifa Club World Cup final at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium.

Chelsea celebrate after Romelu Lukaku scored against Palmeiras in the Fifa Club World Cup final at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

Romelu Lukaku scored Chelsea's opener against Palmeiras in the Fifa Club World Cup final at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

Raphael Veiga of Palmeiras scores from the penalty spot.

Former Chelsea captain John Terry during the Fifa Club World Cup final at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel speaks with Mateo Kovacic.

Palmeiras fans set off a flare during the final at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium.

Chelsea fans during the final at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.

Palmeiras fans at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium.

Given all the wild fluctuations of an epic Club World Cup final on Saturday night, it was no surprise supporters of both the champions and the vanquished were emotionally spent by the end.

Then consider the case of Jamir Valiyamannil, a 31-year-old accountant originally from Kerala and now living Dubai who, despite being a diehard supporter for years, was taking in just his second Chelsea game in the flesh.

The first had been three days earlier, when the European champions had sealed their place in the final with a 1-0 win over Saudi side Al Hilal.

He took up a seat in the same place, in Block N1 of the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium, in the lower tier approximately adjacent to the six-yard line at the northern end of the ground.

Which was, by chance, the exact spot Kai Havertz peeled away to celebrate the winning goal, two hours after kick off - and the best part of six since Valiyamannil had arrived at the ground.

“It was the best moment in our life,” Valiyamannil said. When you consider the details, it is easy to see why.

His beloved club champions of Europe, and now champions of the world.

The quirks of fate which had seen Japan cede hosting rights of the tournament because of the pandemic, then Qatar pass it over, too, because they had the Arab Cup on instead. All of which meant the matches were taking place an hour or so down the E11 from Valiyamannil’s home, so attending was finally a viable option.

A monumental match, in which he and his fellow Blues fans screamed themselves hoarse as they battled – vainly – to hear themselves over the din of the extraordinary Palmeiras support.

After the seminal moment Havertz opted to bypass the travelling London crew of Chelsea supporters and start a frenzied pile-on in front of Valiyamannil and his troupe of exiled Keralite Blues instead.

Then after it all, just because everything had not been dreamy enough till that point, Thiago Silva – player of the tournament Thiago Silva – chucked him his shirt.

“It was all a dream come true,” Valiyamannil said. “All the English fans were there, but he [Havertz] did not stop there. He came to us. It was such a precious moment.

Jamir Valiyamannil takes a photo with Belle Silva while holding a sign for her husband, Thiago Silva, during the Club World Cup final. Photo: Jamir Valiyamannil

“I had taken a sign to both matches saying: ‘Hey, Thiago Silva, may I have your jersey, please?’ His wife, Belle, was there in the stands. I approached her and took a picture with her.

“I asked her if she could make a request for his jersey. She said she would try her maximum. When he came with the trophy, she pointed us out. He had an extra jersey, and he threw it to me.”

Valiyamannil first started supporting Chelsea as a teenager, just after the advent of the Roman Abramovich era. He became besotted by Frank Lampard and John Terry, and never missed a game – albeit from a distance.

“In Kerala, football has good supporters, not only club wise, but for the international teams in terms of the World Cup as well,” he said.

“We celebrate as though we are hosting all 32 teams of the World Cup. Supporters will put flags and banners in the street. It is like a celebration in Kerala. We people love football.”

After moving to Dubai seven years ago, he set about starting up a fan club for exiled Keralites in the UAE. In 2020, Chelsea recognised Dubai Blues as an official supporters club.

Jamir Valiyamannil had a special souvenir to take home to Dubai after the Club World Cup final in Abu Dhabi. Photo: Jamir Valiyamannil

The club was out in force for the final, with most of them new to the live Chelsea experience.

“As soon as it was rescheduled to Abu Dhabi my first thought was, ‘How can I get tickets?’,” said Fahad Ahmed, an 18-year-old university student and Keralite, who was born and raised in Dubai.

“I met these guys and they helped me get tickets very quickly. I’m just very, very happy to be here. I always thought I would go to Stamford Bridge to see my first game, but to do it here is just an unreal experience.

“I have never been to a home game, I have never been to an away game – but I’m guessing this is what an away game feels like. You wouldn’t expect anything less from Brazilian fans. They’re loud, but we made sure we’re loud, too.”

The manner of the Dubai-based fan club’s support for Chelsea differs subtly from that which is characteristic to Stamford Bridge.

Some songs are the same, but others are unique. A bellowed “Chel-seea, Chel-sea!” has a similar intonation to the “Ind-eea, Ind-ia!” chant more readily associated with cricket.

Jamir Valiyamannil, organiser of the Dubai Blues supporters club, takes a snap with Thiago Silva's son Iago. Photo: Jamir Valiyamannil

Another is almost indecipherable. “It is not Malayalam, but it is our style of cheering,” Valiyamannil said.

“Heeya hoah, Chelsea – there is no meaning to it, but for any football match or other competition, even at elections, we will use this chant because of its energetic rhythm.”

That energy was clearly appreciated by the Chelsea players. First there was the Havertz goal, then after the prize-giving and the fireworks stopped, they were generous in their time thanking the fans.

“This is the first time most of us have watched Chelsea play live,” Valiyamannil said. “I have never been to Stamford Bridge. Two times my visa got rejected.

“It is a lifetime opportunity to host the Club World Cup here. For them to win the match, it is like a dream come true for Dubai Blues fans.”