Norway minister, tycoon cowed by angry Chelsea fans

OSLO, Sep 20 (Reuters) A Norwegian minister and the country's richest man fled their seats during Tuesday's Champions League match between Chelsea and Rosenborg fearing a backlash by angry home fans, Norwegian media reported.

Irate Chelsea fans hurled insults at Trond Giske, minister of cultural and church affairs, and shipping tycoon John Fredriksen when the pair cheered defender Miika Koppinen's first-half goal for Rosenborg at Stamford Bridge.

They fled their VIP seats when Chelsea supporters around them showered them with expletives and chanted: ''Go home, Go home,'' according to daily newspaper Dagens Naeringsliv.

''We interpreted the situation as a bit unsafe,'' Giske told news agency NTB.

''We were 40 Norwegians in the middle of a Chelsea tribune, at half time we were given quieter seats at our own request.'' Norway's national coach Aage Hareide and other members of the country's financial elite also left their seats and were moved to a stand occupied mainly by Norwegians.

Chelsea, who announced early on Thursday that coach Jose Mourinho had quit the club, equalised through Andriy Shevchenko.

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