closeicon
News

Chelsea FC vows ‘full investigation’ after documentary shows fans making Nazi salutes

BBC3 film ‘Shame in the Game’ purports to show Chelsea fans singing antisemitic songs and racist chants

articlemain

Chelsea football club has vowed to conduct a “full investigation” as a new BBC documentary shows its fans making Nazi salutes and singing antisemitic songs.

The club said it would take action “as soon as we have been able to view the video”, after ‘Shame in the Game’ is broadcast on BBC Three on Wednesday.

One clip in the film shows Chelsea fans to be chanting: “We hate Tottenham Yids! We hate Tottenham Yids!”

Two fans also appear to make Nazi salutes.

Another clip shows them singing about former Tottenham Hotspurs striker Martin Shivers: “Chivers was a Jew. The thing between his eyes was twice the normal size. Yiddo Yiddo Yiddo.”

The film also deals with racist taunting of black players.

In a statement, Chelsea said: “It is unclear to us at this point if Chelsea supporters are involved.

“However, should any individuals displaying discriminatory behaviour in the video be identified as season ticket holders or members of this club, we will take, and support, the strongest possible action against them, in line with our zero tolerance approach to all forms of discrimination.

“Such behaviour does not in any way reflect the values of this club.”

The club’s manager, Roman Abramovich, last month commissioned a mural to pay tribute to Jewish footballers who were sent to Nazi camps during the Second World War.

Chelsea was also one of the first few clubs to adopt the IHRA definition of antisemitism.

Share via

Want more from the JC?

To continue reading, we just need a few details...

Want more from
the JC?

To continue reading, we just
need a few details...

Get the best news and views from across the Jewish world Get subscriber-only offers from our partners Subscribe to get access to our e-paper and archive