Chelsea have distanced themselves from reports suggesting that anti-Semitism lies behind the criticism that Avram Grant, their manager, has received this season.

Pini Zahavi, Grant’s agent and friend, told an Israeli newspaper that claimed the Chelsea manager was not getting due recognition for his achievements because of his religion.

The Israeli, 52, has led Chelsea to the Champions League final and to level on points with Manchester United in the Premier League with one weekend of the season remaining, but speculation persists over his future at the club.

A statement on the club’s official website said: “We would like to officially distance ourselves from comments in the media regarding the reasons behind any criticism Avram Grant may or may not have received since he became our manager."

The statement added that the club is determined to help eradicate discrimination from football and expressd its solidarity with the sentiments Grant expressed on his address to more than 10,000 Jews at Auschwitz last week.

“Chelsea is totally committed to fighting all forms of prejudice and will act in the strongest possible way, given the evidence, against anyone who uses anti-Semitism or any other form of discrimination in any shape or form," it said.

“Our manager has conducted himself with great dignity and respect in his role as Chelsea manager. He made a moving speech at Auschwitz on Holocaust Remembrance Day.

"In it, he promoted the power of sport in bringing all people together regardless of race and religion and its ability to break down barriers.That is a sentiment Chelsea agrees with entirely.”

Grant has been the target for abuse this season, with harmless white powder being sent to the club’s training ground and Bruce Buck, the club chairman, claiming the club received anti-Semitic hate-mail on Grant's appointment in September.

Zahavi, an Israeli Jew who has known Grant for more than 20 years, is one of the most powerful agents in football and is convinced that similar prejudice is behind the media and fans' view of his friend.

“There are no words to describe the mistreatment Avram is receiving,” he told Ma’ariv, the Israeli daily newspaper. “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.

"[Roman] Abramovich is not only Jewish but Russian and Jewish. So the Chelsea fans love him, but the rest of the fans in England certainly don’t.”

Chelsea face Bolton Wanderers on Sunday neeeding to better Manchester United’s result against Wigan Athletic to win the Premier League.