Disciplinary probe opened against Chelsea over claims of antisemitic chanting
UEFA opens diciplinary proceedings against top London club over allegations its supporters used racist terms
UEFA have opened disciplinary proceedings against Chelsea following allegations of racist chanting at a Europa League match in Hungary.
It was claimed that Chelsea supporters used antisemitic language in a derogatory chant about Tottenham during the 2-2 draw against Vidi last month.
UEFA’s control, ethics and disciplinary body will deal with the case at its next meeting on February 28.
If Chelsea are found guilty, the minimum sanction the club could face includes a partial ground closure.
The reported incident in Budapest on December 13 came just days after Chelsea and police launched investigations into alleged racist abuse directed towards Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck condemned the actions of “a few mindless individuals at some of our recent matches”, and added he “will not rest until we have eliminated all forms of discrimination from our club”.
Chelsea launched a campaign in January 2018 to raise awareness and educate about antisemitism in football.
The Blues have been drawn against Malmo in the next stage of the Europa League, with the two-legged tie to be played on February 14 and February 21.
This comes after Chelsea backed the World Jewish Congress’s ‘We Remember’ campaign, urging people to remember the Holocaust and raise awareness about antisemitism.
The club’s top male and female players and coaching staff lined up to promote the campaign, including Chelsea’s manager Maurizio Sarri, men’s team captain Cesar Azpilicueta, star player Eden Hazard, defender David Luis, striker Olivier Giroud, left-back Marcos Alonso, and Brazilian midfielder Emerson Palmieri.
Chelsea’s women’s team also got involved in the campaigns promotion, including England’s national goalkeeper Carly Telford, midfielder and fellow England national Drew Spence, defender Magdalena Eriksson, Welsh captain Sophie Ingle and Swedish goalie Hedvig Lindahl.
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