December 11 – Chelsea have taken immediate action following the foul-mouthed abuse perpetrated towards Manchester City’s England forward Raheem Sterling last weekend by banning four fans pending an investigation.
A Chelsea statement said evidence of racist behaviour, which further tarnishes the club’s reputation, will result in “severe sanctions, including bans”.
“Chelsea Football Club finds all forms of discriminatory behaviour abhorrent,” the statement continued, adding that the club “will also fully support any criminal prosecutions”.
Manchester City welcomed the decision while a video of the ugly incident was widely circulated on social media.
Sterling said he “had to laugh” when he heard the remarks because he expects “no better” adding that newspaper coverage was helping to “fuel racism” by the ways in young black footballers are portrayed.
No arrests have yet been made after Saturday’s match Anti-discrimination charity Kick It Out issued a sobering statistic citing reports of discriminatory abuse within football being up 11% on last season.
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1735007107labto1735007107ofdlr1735007107owedi1735007107sni@w1735007107ahsra1735007107w.wer1735007107dna1735007107