CHELSEA HAS CONDEMNED the fans who allegedly sung an anti-Semitic song during their 2-2 draw away to Vidi in the Europa League on Thursday.
The incident comes less than a week after Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling was allegedly racially abused in a Premier League match at Stamford Bridge.
Four people were suspended from attending the club’s matches pending further investigations into that matter and Chelsea swiftly denounced the incident in Hungary.
Anti-Semitism and any other kind of race-related or religious hatred is abhorrent to this club and the overwhelming majority of our fans,” said a Chelsea spokesperson.
“It has no place at Chelsea or in any of our communities. We have stated this loud and clear on many occasions from the owner, the board, coaches and players.
Any individuals that can’t summon the brainpower to comprehend this simple message and are found to have shamed the club by using anti-Semitic or racist words or actions will face the strongest possible action from the club.”
Blues boss Maurizio Sarri, who this week slammed the Sterling abuse as “disgusting”, said he was unable to understand the song when asked to comment by reporters after full-time.
Chelsea had already sealed top spot in Europa League Group L prior to the Vidi draw and return to domestic duties in a trip to Brighton and Hove Albion on Sunday.
Murray Kinsella, Gavan Casey and Eddie O’Sullivan preview another big weekend of Heineken Cup action and dissect the week’s main talking points.
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I think it’s a great move. Ryan will bring a lot of positive PR with him and the Cork public in general have great time for him – the footballers in the county need this PR lift.
Also, maybe when they are being beaten by a team next year and they look to the sideline to see Eamon Ryan there, it might give them a bit more of a lift. Bottom line is he is an achiever and will be a huge addition to the Cork football dressing-room. Overall, a very strong backroom team in place now – it’s up to the players now to deliver.
With all respect to Ryan, I think this is a strange move. I’m not sure is it the progressive move Cork needed.
I don’t know our lads have been playing like a bunch of women for the last few years now so he’ll fit perfectly.
People being negative think Eamonn Ryan never coached before he took over Cork’s ladies team!