UEFA has begun disciplinary proceedings
against Chelsea following alleged anti-Semitic
chanting during the club’s Europa League
match at Hungarian club Vidi last month,
European football’s governing body announced
on Tuesday.
A vocal minority of Chelsea fans were heard
singing a derogatory chant about Tottenham
supporters, featuring anti-Semitic language,
during the 2-2 draw at the Groupama Arena in
Budapest.
“In relation to the alleged racist incidents that
occurred at the afore-mentioned match, UEFA
has announced that disciplinary proceedings
have been instigated against Chelsea FC,â€
UEFA said in a statement.
It added that its Control, Ethics and
Disciplinary Body would deal with the case on
February 28.
Chelsea have been dogged by accusations of
supporter racism in recent weeks, with four
supporters banned pending an investigation
into alleged racist insults directed at Raheem
Sterling during the Blues’ 2-0 win over Premier
League champions Manchester City in early
December.
Chelsea coach Maurizio Sarri said the club
were in a “fight against stupid peopleâ€
following further allegations of racism from
supporters in the away end during his side’s
2-1 win at Watford on Boxing Day.
Days previously Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck
had published an open letter to fans in which
he blamed a “deeply unpleasant but vocal
minority†for refusing “to join us in the 21st
century†and damaging the club’s image.
“We must not allow a small minority of fans to
bring further embarrassment upon us, and will
continue to take the strongest possible action
against them,†said Buck.
Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich and several
of the club’s players joined the World Jewish
Congress this week as part of its “We
Remember†campaign to help raise awareness
about the Holocaust and fight racism and
discrimination.
