Uefa confirm investigation into Chelsea supporters alleged racist chanting in Europa League fixture at Vidi
Uefa have confirmed that they are investigating racist incidents reported at Chelsea’s visit to Mol Vidi in the Europa League last week.
Chelsea’s travelling support were heard chanting antisemitic abuse just three minutes into the match in Hungary, with the club releasing a statement immediately afterward condemning the small section of “brainless” fans who were shaming the club.
Chelsea’s supporters then came under further scrutiny when a photograph emerged of a group of fans outside the stadium before the game began holding a flag bearing Nazi insignia. Chelsea insisted the flag did not come into the stadium.
The incident came just six days after four Chelsea supporters were suspended indefinitely by the club pending further investigation internally, as well as by the Metropolitan Police, after being caught on camera allegedly racially abusing Raheem Sterling.
Uefa released a statement on Tuesday morning which read:
“According to Article 31 (4) of the UEFA Disciplinary Regulations, UEFA has today announced that 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 UEFA Europa League group stage match between Vidi FC and Chelsea FC played on 13 December in Hungary.
“Information in respect to the results of this investigation will be made available by the middle of January.”
If Chelsea are found guilty, Uefa’s Article 14 regulation also makes clear that if found guilty the club will face “a minimum partial stadium closure” at Stamford Bridge in future European games.
“If a club’s supporters engage in the behaviour that insults the human dignity of a person or group of persons on whatever grounds, including skin colour, race, religion or ethnic origin, the member association or club responsible is punished with a minimum of a partial stadium closure.”
Gianfranco Zola responded to news of the UEFA investigation at a press conference ahead of the club’s Carabao Cup fixture against Bournemouth on Wednesday: “It’s very difficult to say anything about [potential punishments]. We will see what happens and then we’ll comment”
