CHELSEA FANS CRY FOUL OVER NOU CAMP TREATMENT

CHELSEA and supporters groups are gathering information and preparing to lobby UEFA after reports of fans being struck by baton-wielding stewards and police in Barcelona on Wednesday night.

Videos and posts on social media alleged heavy-handed shepherding of visiting supporters before and after the last-16 second leg at the Nou Camp, which Chelsea lost 3-0 to exit the Champions League 4-1 on aggregate.

Chelsea, the Chelsea Supporters’ Trust (CST), Football Supporters’ Federation and Football Supporters Europe are gathering evidence and appealing for information in the wake of the alleged incidents.

UEFA say they are in the process of compiling reports on the matter and in touch with their disciplinary department.

CST chairman David Chidgey, who did not attend Wednesday’s match due to work commitments, has been dealing with the aftermath of the incidents which, he says, are all too familiar.

Chidgey said: “A lot of people do get cynical saying, ‘nothing changes’ and I’m afraid the evidence is there for all to see.

“If we can put together a decent case and the club take that to UEFA, backed by the supporter organisations, something might actually register with UEFA.

“We’re talking about Barcelona or Spanish police and stewards. If UEFA pressurise them then maybe something will change. Clearly that has to happen.

“The club take it seriously and we work as closely with them as we can to get the evidence to them and support them.”