Chairman Bruce Buck vowed to “eliminate” all forms of discrimination from Chelsea — and insists they won’t stop until they have.
Buck told the supporters who are shaming the club and majority of supporters that Chelsea “is not the club for you” in a strongly-worded open letter.
Buck spoke out after the behaviour of a minority of supporters sparked a second major investigation.
Chelsea and the Met Police are both probing alleged racial abuse aimed at Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling which led to four fans being banned from Stamford Bridge.
And Chelsea are now facing a potential partial stadium closure after UEFA confirmed they are investigating alleged anti-semitic chanting from their fans during last week’s Europa League tie at Vidi.
Chelsea fans are being investigated by UEFA
(Image: Action Images via Reuters)
Chelsea are furious about the two incidents last week which have dragged the club’s name through the mud again.
Ahead of Wednesday night’s Carabao Cup tie with Bournemouth, Chelsea’s first game at Stamford Bridge tonight since Sterling was targeted, Buck said: “A deeply unpleasant but vocal minority which refuses to join us in the 21st century has shamed the great majority of our decent, well-behaved fans.
“We must all come together to stamp out these ugly scenes. The message from Mr Abramovich, our directors, coaches, players and hundreds of staff is simple – this is a club open to everybody.
“We are committed and determined to be a force for good and not a symbol of society’s wider problems.”
Chairman Bruce Buck has penned an open letter to Chelsea fans
(Image: Getty Images Europe)
Buck, who spoke to fans at Brighton on Sunday to urge them to present the club in a positive light, outlined the lengths Chelsea have gone to to eradicate discrimination and added: “Clearly, there remains a way to go on this journey, but we will not rest until we have eliminated all forms of discrimination from our club.
“We will continue to work alongside our fans, anti-discrimination organisations and football authorities to create an environment where everyone feels welcome and valued.
“If you do not share these values, this is not the club for you.
“We are determined to win this battle, but we need the backing and action of those who share the principles of this great club.”
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