Once again Chelsea FC supporters are making international headlines for behaving socially backward.
It was only a couple years ago that the whole wide world saw the ugly, disturbing scene on the Paris metro, in which a small group of Chelsea supporters sang “we’re racist, we’re racist and that’s the way we like” while denying a man entry to a subway car.
Now comes a chant heard at Leicester City’s King Power Stadium today about Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata, one that contains Anti-Semitic lyrics targeted toward rival club Tottenham Hotspur.
It includes an offensive term often used to describe Jewish people, which these fans use as an alternative name for Spurs. Arsenal fans have also gotten in trouble for singing Anti-Semitic songs directed at Tottenham.
Chelsea spokesman Steve Atkins have this statement to the Associated Press:
“I don’t think Antonio (Conte, Chelsea manager) was aware of the song. 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.”
“We’ve spoken to Alvaro after the game and he does not want to be connected to that song in any way, and both the player and the club request that the supporters stop singing that song with immediate effect.”
Morata was likely expressing his disapproval of the chant, in a subtle manner, in the tweet below:
Since I arrived, I have been able to feel your support every single day, you are amazing and I'd like to ask you to please respect everyone!
— Álvaro Morata (@AlvaroMorata) September 9, 2017
Kick It Out, British football’s anti-discrimination body released a very strong statement of condemnation, and a call for swift action:
“There is no place for such disgusting chants at football matches and in wider society. The organization expects Chelsea FC to ban any supporters who are identified as indulging in such abusive conduct and expects the police to take action against any identified perpetrators.”
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now and Minute Media. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes regularly to WGN CLTV and Chicago Now.
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