Chelsea lodge formal complaint with UEFA over racist abuse

Chelsea have lodged a formal complaint with UEFA over racist abuse aimed at one of their players during the closing stages of the 5-0 Europa League win away to Dynamo Kiev.

The Premier League club issued a statement on Monday highlighting the incident during the second leg on March 14.

“We can confirm a report of racist abuse directed at one of our players in the final minutes of the match in Kiev from a small section of home supporters. We wholeheartedly condemn such abhorrent behaviour,” the Chelsea statement read.

“The matter was reported to the referee at the final whistle and the chairman and club secretary spoke to the UEFA match delegate immediately after the match. We expect UEFA to conduct a fulsome investigation and we will provide full cooperation.”

Press Association Sport understands that Callum Hudson-Odoi was the player targeted.

During the last two minutes of the match, winger Hudson-Odoi, 18, brought the incident – understood to have been monkey chants from a small group of ‘ultras’ home supporters in the corner of the end Chelsea were attacking – to the attention of team-mate Cesar Azpilicueta.

Shortly after the final whistle, defender Azpilicueta went up to the referee to complain about the abuse.

When Hudson-Odoi left the pitch, he told the club of the incident. Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck and club secretary David Barnard swiftly sought out the UEFA delegate and reported it to him.

With the matter included in both the referee’s report and being highlighted to UEFA, the governing body is now set to investigate.