Chelsea to take action against any 'disrespectful' fans at Anfield
Friday 12 April 2019 18:38, UK
Chelsea have warned they will take "the strongest possible action" against any supporters who engage in disrespectful behaviour during Sunday's game against Liverpool.
A minute's silence will be held before kick-off at Anfield to remember the victims of the Hillsborough disaster, and players from both sides will wear black armbands.
Monday marks the 30th anniversary of the FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest, when 96 people lost their lives.
A section of Chelsea supporters failed to observe a minute's silence in memory of Hillsborough before their FA Cup semi-final against Tottenham at Wembley in 2012, referee Martin Atkinson forced to cut the minute short.
And after three Chelsea fans were denied entry into Slavia Prague's stadium for their Europa League quarter-final over an alleged racist chant about Liverpool's Mohamed Salah, the club issued a statement warning against a repeat at Anfield.
Chelsea said: "The actions of a mindless and unwanted minority in Prague has once again brought a spotlight upon Chelsea supporters, embarrassing the club and their fellow fans.
"It is our expectation that this will not be repeated in Liverpool, and where there is evidence of any inappropriate or disrespectful behaviour, we will take the strongest possible action."
Meanwhile, former FA race and equality board chair Yunus Lanat says drastic action is needed to tackle Islamophobia in football.
Lanat, who is an advisor to Liverpool on diversity and equality, thinks players should go on strike as current measures simply aren't working.
He told Sky Sports News: "The time has come for the PFA and FIFPro to speak to their members and say, 'enough is enough, we're not putting up with this and we need to consider strike action'.
"Radical steps are needed because the authorities are not doing enough."
He added: "Football is unfortunately not comfortable combating Islamophobia because there is an undercurrent of football fans who will not allow this to happen. Therein lies the problem."
