3 hours ago
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Chelsea have condemned racial abuse after their youth players were allegedly targeted during their UEFA Youth League win over Qarabag in the Azerbaijan capital of Baku.
The Blues' Under 19s won 5-0 to move to the top of the standings but play was paused after Sol Gordon opened the scoring in the second half at the Azersun Arena.
A group of ultras attended to support the home side, and Chelsea have now announced that an individual in the crowd subjected their players to racism. They have called on UEFA to fully investigate the incident, while Qarabag have apologised to Chelsea.
In a statement released before their Champions League clash with Qarabag, Chelsea said: 'We are aware of an incident during today's UEFA Youth League match in Azerbaijan in which, after scoring, a number of our players were subjected to racist abuse from an individual in the crowd.
'Racism and all forms of discriminatory behaviour are completely unacceptable and have no place in football or indeed in society. We strongly condemn the actions of the individual responsible.
'Our players have the full support of everyone at the club, and we have raised the incident immediately with the UEFA match delegate and home club.
Chelsea have condemned racial abuse after their youth players were allegedly targeted during their UEFA Youth League match
Calum McFarlane's side won 5-0 to move to the top of the standings but play was paused after Sol Gordon opened the scoring
'We expect this matter to be investigated fully under UEFA's disciplinary procedures.
'We are proud of the way our players and staff responded to the incident on the pitch, swiftly reporting it to the referee, and commend those for dealing with the matter professionally and appropriately in line with UEFA protocols.
'Chelsea Football Club is immensely proud of the diversity within our team and across our entire club and will continue to work with UEFA to ensure that those responsible for discriminatory behaviour in football are held accountable.'
Qarabag have said sorry for the incident and insisted it does not represent their values. They have promised to conduct their own investigation.
After Gordon's opener, Chelsea went on to win comfortably with Jesse Derry scoring twice and a goal apiece from Shim Mheuka and Frankie Runham.
