UEFA to investigate alleged antisemitic chanting by Chelsea fans

Reports in the British media said some Chelsea fans were heard singing a chant about Barcelona, Real Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur followed by an anti-Semitic slur.

By REUTERS
Updated: DECEMBER 18, 2018 15:42
Chelsea fans at a game between Vidi FC and Chelsea, December 13, 2018 (photo credit: REUTERS/MATTHEW CHILDS)
Chelsea fans at a game between Vidi FC and Chelsea, December 13, 2018
(photo credit: REUTERS/MATTHEW CHILDS)
UEFA has launched an investigation into allegations of antisemitic chanting by Chelsea supporters during their final Europa League group match against Vidi FC in Budapest last week, European soccer's governing body said on Tuesday.
Reports in the British media said some Chelsea fans were heard singing a chant about Barcelona, Real Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur followed by an antisemitic slur, in their 2-2 draw in Hungary on Dec. 13. The club said any fans found guilty of racism would face the strongest possible action.
UEFA said it had initiated action against Chelsea according to article 31 (4) of their disciplinary regulations.
"UEFA has today announced it has commissioned an ethics and disciplinary inspector to conduct an investigation in relation to the alleged racist incidents that occurred at last week's Europa League group stage match between Vidi and Chelsea," UEFA said in a statement.
It said it will issue the results of its investigation by mid-January.
Racism has long been a source of controversy in sport, and efforts to stamp it out both among supporters and within sports organizations have been increasing at all levels.
Some Chelsea supporters have been involved in a number of such incidents recently. Earlier this month, four fans were banned from the club's matches pending a police investigation after alleged racist abuse of Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling.
Three men were then spoken to by transport police after reports of antisemitic chanting on a train after a match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Chelsea last weekend at the Amex Stadium.