UEFA
has opened an investigation into "alleged racist incidents" at Chelsea's
Europa League clash with Vidi in Hungary last week.
Chelsea condemned the singing of a derogatory chant about Tottenham
supporters, which features anti-Semitic language, by a vocal minority of
their own supporters as "abhorrent" and vowed to take the "strongest
possible action."
They will find out the results of the investigation next month.
A UEFA statement read: "UEFA has today announced that it 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 on December 12 in
Hungary.
"Information in respect to the results of this investigation will be made
available by the middle of January."
Chelsea face a partial stadium closure as a penalty if the supporters are
found guilty, according to UEFA regulations.
Article 14 of UEFA's Disciplinary Regulations states that if supporters
engage in behaviour which "insults the human dignity of a person or group of
persons on whatever grounds, including skin colour, race, religion or ethnic
origin", then the club responsible is punished with a minimum of a partial
stadium closure.
A second offence would see any club found guilty of such abuse forced to
play a game behind closed doors.
The incident in Budapest happened just days after four fans were suspended
for abusing Raheem Sterling.
Chelsea and the Metropolitan Police opened investigations after alleged
racist abuse was directed at Manchester City's Sterling by a section of home
supporters during the match at Stamford Bridge on December 8.
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