Frank
Lampard says he is "disgusted" at the actions of a "so-called Chelsea fan"
after Tammy Abraham was targeted with racial abuse online.
The abuse came after the 21-year-old missed the decisive penalty in the
shoot-out that saw Liverpool win the Super Cup at Chelsea's expense on
Wednesday.
The anti-racism organisation Kick It Out described the social media abuse as
"predictable, but no less disgusting", while Chelsea have promised to take
the "strongest possible action".
Social media giant Twitter has now agreed to discuss racist abuse with Kick
It Out for the first time.
Speaking ahead of Sunday's Premier League clash with Leicester, live on Sky
Sports, Lampard offered his support to the striker, saying: "Obviously Tammy
is more than disappointed - who wouldn't be?
"I am disgusted by a so-called Chelsea fan. Tammy asked me to take the fifth
penalty because he wanted to stand up on a big night when the world was
watching.
"Moments afterwards, somebody sitting behind a keyboard or a phone has said
the most disgusting things possible.
"I don't know how it's allowed; it's too easy. Something needs to be done,
as well as obviously changing mind-sets completely.
"I'm so angry for Tammy and angry for us as a club, because that's not what
we're about. The club does a lot of work against discrimination at all
levels and it's a setback when these things happen."
Abraham started Chelsea's opening Premier League game of the season - the
4-0 defeat to Manchester United - and came off the bench during the game
against Liverpool.
He is set to finally be given a chance to establish himself in the first
team at Stamford Bridge following Lampard's appointment, and the head coach
has high hopes for the academy product, despite his record of zero goals in
five games for the club.
"Tammy is always desperate to score and that's one of the things I love
about him. He's hungry, he wants to score in training, in five-a-sides, in
shooting practice," said Lampard.
"But he needs to be relaxed at the same time. What he does do is get in
positions to score regularly. That is an indication of his character - he's
not hiding.
"When that goal comes, like they did at Aston Villa and Bristol City, I
think they will come regularly. He shouldn't be putting too much pressure on
himself.
"He's a young player, he has strong qualities and attributes. I think he's
going to be a really strong striker for this club."
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