Chairman appeals to fans over racism
CHELSEA chairman Bruce Buck pleaded for calm with his club’s fans at the gates of the Amex Stadium yesterday before the 2-1 win at Brighton.
In the wake of two shameful episodes of alleged racism, the club were fearful of a repeat in a third successive game.
Buck and club officials went to the away turnstiles and it is understood that, while there, he stressed to Chelsea supporters that it was an important day for the club following the disgraceful scenes against Manchester City and MOL Vidi.
Yesterday’s game appeared to pass without incident, though the Brighton supporters taunted the away end in the second half with a chant of ‘Racists! Racists! Racists!’
UEFA’s disciplinary body are due to rule this week on whether Chelsea will face a partial stadium closure as a consequence of anti-semitic chants against Vidi in the Europa League, and four Chelsea supporters have been suspended, pending a club investigation into abuse directed at City’s Raheem Sterling last Saturday.
Chelsea have taken a hardline stance over the incidents and on Thursday issued a statement criticising the offenders who had ‘shamed the club’.
Fans in the Chelsea end yesterday reported a shift in behaviour for the game, with a marked absence of the Y-word in chants involving Tottenham. Ahead of the game, numerous supporters interviewed were keen to distance themselves from the offenders.