December 14 – The reputation of Chelsea supporters as among the worst in English football has plummeted to an all-time low after their own club questioned the “brain power” of some fans following the latest disgraceful scenes of racist abuse.
Chelsea say fans who sang an anti-Semitic chant directed at rivals Tottenham Hotspur in their Europa League game against Hungary’s MOL Vidi on Thursday have “shamed the club”.
A vocal minority chanted offensive songs early in the 2-2 draw – just three days after four Chelsea fans were suspended for allegedly racially abusing Manchester City’s English striker Raheem Sterling. One of the fans is accused of calling Sterling a “black c***” .
“Anti-Semitism and any kind of racial or religious hatred is abhorrent to this club and the overwhelming majority of our fans,” a Chelsea spokesman said. “It has no place at Chelsea or in any of our communities.”
“We have stated this loud and clear on many occasions from the owner, the board, coaches and players. Any individuals that can’t summon the brain-power to comprehend this simple message and are found to have shamed the club by used using anti-Semitism or racist words or actions will face the strongest possible action from the club.”
UEFA have launched an investigation into the alleged chanting, according to British media reports.
Chelsea supporters have long been tarnished with making hissing noises to mock holocaust gas chamber victims and other anti-Semitic songs.
While the club, whose owner Roman Abramovich is Jewish, have tried year on year to eradicate discriminatory behaviour, it seems to be having little effect. In 2015, four supporters were given suspended one-year prison sentences after a black commuter was pushed off a Metro in Paris amid chants of “We’re racist, we’re racist, and that’s the way we like it.”
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