UEFA charge Chelsea with ‘racist behaviour’ in Europa League match against Vidi FC

After a monthlong preliminary investigation by a “UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector”, conducted in the wake of Chelsea’s 2-2 draw against Vidi FC on December 13, UEFA have officially charged Chelsea with violation of Article 14, “Racist Behaviour”.

The punishment will be decided at the next meeting of the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body, which will be on February 28. Similar incidents at other clubs had resulted mostly in minor fines, with the occasional closed doors match. Since the committee will not meet until after Chelsea’s Europa League Round of 32 tie against Malmö FF, that home match for sure will not be affected.

Chelsea were widely (and quite rightly) expected to be charged for this offence after the club themselves called out the mindless morons who were shaming the club with their actions and, specifically, their chanting of the y-word.

“Antisemitism and any other kind of race-related or religious hatred is abhorrent to this club and the overwhelming majority of our fans. 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 used using antisemitic or racist words or actions will face the strongest possible action from the club”

-Chelsea statement

As the recent League Cup semifinal first leg match against Spurs at Wembley proved, Chelsea fans can in fact behave like decent human beings. The Blues may have gotten unlucky on the pitch in that narrow loss, but took a solid step forward off of it. Let’s see that continue going forward in the second leg, and in general as well.