UEFA could close part of Chelsea's stadium | OneFootball

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OneFootball

Dan Burke·14 December 2018

UEFA could close part of Chelsea's stadium

Article image:UEFA could close part of Chelsea's stadium

Chelsea could face a partial stadium closure if they are punished for the alleged racist chanting which took place in Hungary on Thursday.

UEFA has been made aware of an incident which took place during the Blues’ Europa League draw away at Vidi, where a number of the club’s supporters were reportedly heard using an anti-Semitic term in a song aimed at rivals Tottenham Hotspur.


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European football’s governing body will examine reports from match officials before deciding whether to take the matter further and it could result in at least part of Stamford Bridge being closed during future European fixtures.

Article 14 of UEFA’s Disciplinary Regulations states that if supporters engage in behaviour which “insults the human dignity of a person or group of persons on whatever grounds, including skin colour, race, religion or ethnic origin”, then the club responsible is punished with a minimum of a partial stadium closure.

The incident came just days after a club and police investigation was launched into alleged racist abuse aimed at Raheem Sterling during the West London outfit’s 2-0 win over Manchester City last weekend.

Chelsea say Thursday’s allegations have “shamed the club” and those responsible will face the “strongest possible action”, while the the Jewish Leadership Council (JLC) have described the incident as “thoroughly depressing”.

“We utterly condemn this second incident of racism by Chelsea fans in a week,” said JLC chief executive Simon Johnson.

“The latest anti-Semitic incident is thoroughly depressing, especially in light of the dedicated work that Chelsea FC has done to address the problem.

“We completely endorse the club’s strong statement and would support them in any robust action which they now take against the perpetrators.”

Earlier this year, Chelsea launched a campaign to raise awareness and educate people about anti-Semitism in football which has seen club executives, staff and supporters taken on trips to Auschwitz.