Chelsea have been charged by the Football Association over alleged discriminatory behaviour by supporters during their win at Fulham at the start of the Premier League season.
The charge relates to the ninth minute of Chelsea’s 3-2 victory at Craven Cottage on 24 August. An FA spokesperson said: “Chelsea FC has been charged with breaching FA Rule E21 during the ninth minute of its Premier League fixture against Fulham FC on 24 August. It’s alleged that the club failed to ensure its spectators and/or supporters did not behave in an improper, offensive, abusive or insulting way. It’s further alleged that this behaviour was discriminatory in that it included a reference, whether express or implied, to religion or belief.”
Chelsea had already moved to address the issue themselves, writing to supporters after the match and acknowledging that they had received “multiple reports of sectarian chanting from a small portion” of fans. The club said it does not condone any discriminatory chants, and that supporters found guilty would face “the strongest possible action”.
The matter is not the first of its kind involving Chelsea in recent years. In 2021 the club condemned the actions of a fan who was seen on social media aiming sectarian abuse at Aston Villa’s Scottish international John McGinn.
On the pitch, Chelsea have won two of their opening five Premier League games this season and sit 10th in the table on seven points.