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Chelsea star rejects fans' antisemitic chanting

Alvaro Morata calls for respect after supporters use song celebrating the striker to aim Jew-hate at rivals Tottenham Hotspur

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Chelsea are waiting to find out whether they will face punishment from the Football Association after their supporters chanted antisemitic abuse during yesterday’s Premier League match against Leicester City.

Fans used a song about the team’s new striker, Alvaro Morata, to target rivals Tottenham Hotspur, a club with a large Jewish following.

Chelsea were quick to condemn the chanting, with head of communications Steve Atkins saying: “The language in that song is not acceptable at all."

He added: "We've spoken to Alvaro after the game and he does not want to be connected to that song in any way and both the player and the club request that the supporters stop singing that song with immediate effect."

Morata, who scored in Chelsea’s 2-1 victory, tweeted after the game: "Since I arrived, I have been able to feel your support every single day, you are amazing and I'd like to ask you to please respect everyone!"

Kick It Out, which campaigns against racism in football, called for the fans who sang the song to be banned.

In a statement, the organisation said: "There is no place for such disgusting chants at football matches and in wider society".

"Kick It Out welcomes the clear statement by Chelsea FC, deploring the chants and asking all supporters to cease repeating the chant.

"The organisation expects Chelsea FC to ban any supporters who are identified as indulging in such abusive conduct and expects the police to take action against any identified perpetrators."

 

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