“We ask, as always, that support for the team remains positive and respectful.”
Chelsea get their Champions League campaign underway as the Premier League champions host Qarabag at Stamford Bridge.
Antonio Conte’s side picked up a hard-fought three points at the weekend as they beat Leicester City and their new striker, Alvaro Morata, was amongst the goals.
Despite the fact that Chelsea picked up their third win in a row, the celebrations at the final whistle were tainted by a chant that was sung by sections of the away support at the King Power Stadium.
They are alleged to have sung a song about Morata that contained the line:
“He came from Real Madrid he f***ing hates the yids.”
In case you’re unfamiliar with the term, “Yids” is a derogatory term that’s used against Jewish people. Spurs fans have occasionally chanted “Yid army”, but have not used the term in a malicious way, despite the offensive nature of the word.
To their immense credit, Morata and Chelsea instantly asked supporters to stop chanting the offensive song.
A spokesperson for the club said:
“The club and the players appreciate the fans passionate support away from home, of course, but the language in that song is not acceptable at all.
Before tonight’s Champions League game, the club have reaffirmed their stance that any “offensive and inappropriate” language will not be tolerated by anyone at Stamford Bridge.
We return to the Champions League tonight anticipating an excellent atmosphere under the floodlights at Stamford Bridge, with the eyes of the world upon us.
We ask, as always, that support for the team remains positive and respectful.
At our game against Leicester City on Saturday, a section of Chelsea supporters sang a song containing the word ‘Yid’. This language is anti-Semitic and has no place within football or society. It is an offensive and inappropriate term, insulting to Jewish supporters (both those of other clubs and our own), their friends, family and people in the wider Jewish community.
Chelsea Football Club is clear and consistent in our condemnation of all forms of discrimination, including such anti-Semitic behaviour and language. We are proud to be a diverse, inclusive club where people from all cultures, communities and identities feel welcome.
We will be working with the police to identify those responsible, and if there is evidence that season ticket holders or members took part in that chanting, or partake in any future discriminatory behaviour, we will take the strongest possible action, which includes bans.
We ask fans to help us support equality at Stamford Bridge. If you witness any form of racist, homophobic, discriminatory or abusive chanting you can report it during the match by texting 07894 937793 with the stand, row, seat number and description of the offender and the incident. You can also use the official Kick It Out app, which is free to download.
Find out more Building Bridges, Chelsea’s equality and diversity campaign, and how you can get involved, here.
Well said.
