Chelsea fans face bans over antisemitic chant

Chelsea will take “strongest possible action” against any fans who are found guilty of singing an antisemitic song during the club’s 2-1 win over Leicester City.

The song appeared to be directed at rival Tottenham Hotspur, which has traditional Jewish fan base.

Afterwards, Chelsea, whose owner Roman Abramovich is Jewish, issued a statement that said: “The club and the players appreciate the fans’ passionate support away from home.”

On Monday, the Premier League champions’ head of communications, Steve Atkins, told reporters they would cooperate with police in any inquiry.”

“I think we made an initial statement after the game the other night, but happy to repeat and make clear; Chelsea Football Club finds all forms of discrimination abhorrent and the language that was used in that song the other night we find totally unacceptable. People that use this kind of language against others always try and argue a gray area. There is no gray area,” said Atkins.

“That language used was antisemitic and we have a zero tolerance policy towards it. If there is evidence that season ticket holders or members took part in that and take part in it in the future then we will take the strongest possible action against them which includes bans… We must be clear on this because it has to stop.”

Meanwhile, Chelsea made the final preparations for its opening Champions League match against Qarabag.

Antonio Conte says he is ready to rotate his squad as Chelsea return to the Champions League after a one-year absence.

Qarabag visited Stamford Bridge late Tuesday night, three days after Chelsea’s hard-fought 2-1 victory at Leicester City and ahead of the champions’ home game against London rivals Arsenal this weekend.

Conte said influential forward Eden Hazard, fit again after recovering from a broken ankle, would only be on the bench while new signing Danny Drinkwater was doubtful with a call injury