LONDON — UEFA has confirmed that it is investigating “alleged racist incidents” during Chelsea’s Europa League match against Vidi earlier this month.
Reports on social media said antisemitic chanting had come from the section of Groupama Arena housing the travelling Chelsea fans from the opening minutes of the game.
After the match, a Chelsea spokesman said those who had used a derogatory word in reference to Tottenham had “shamed the club.”
In a statement, UEFA said: “UEFA has commissioned an Ethics and Disciplinary Inspector to conduct an investigation in relation to the alleged racist incidents that occurred at last week’s UEFA Europa League group stage match between Vidi FC and Chelsea FC played in Hungary.
“Information in respect to the results of this investigation will be made available by the middle of January.”
If Chelsea are found guilty, UEFA could impose a partial closure of Stamford Bridge for the Europa League tie against Malmo on Feb. 21.
Asked about UEFA’s response on Tuesday, Chelsea assistant coach Gianfranco Zola told a news conference: “We are still talking about an investigation, so it’s very difficult to say anything about that.
“We will see what happens and then, obviously, we can comment upon that.”
The behaviour of Chelsea fans has come under the microscope in recent days, following the alleged racist abuse of Manchester City’s Raheem Sterling at Stamford Bridge this month.
Chelsea have suspended four supporters from attending matches pending a police investigation into the incident, and chairman Bruce Buck spoke to travelling supporters ahead of Sunday’s match against Brighton to explain the club’s stance.
Sources told ESPN FC that Buck — who has backed the “Say No to Antisemitism” campaign launched by Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich — positioned himself at the away entrance to the Amex Stadium to talk to fans as they arrived.
The match passed without any audible offensive chanting from the away end, but on Monday it emerged that British Transport Police were appealing for witnesses after reports of antisemitic chanting on a train after the match.
The UEFA investigation into the chanting at Vidi is a setback for Chelsea after their attempts to eradicate antisemitism from football.
Holocaust survivor Harry Spiro was invited to Cobham to address the squad in January, while the club sent a delegation to attend the annual March of the Living at Auschwitz in April.
This was followed in June by an official visit by 150 supporters, along with club officials, to Auschwitz.