Chelsea
media chief Steve Atkins has called the Alvaro Morata chant used by the
club's supporters as "abhorrent", "totally unacceptable" and confirmed
police are investigating.
Atkins, alongside head coach Antonio Conte, made the address at Chelsea's
Monday press conference ahead of their Champions League tie with Qarabag FK
on Tuesday.
Morata opened the scoring for Chelsea in their victory over Leicester on
Saturday, but the match was marred by the chant which contains an
anti-Semitic reference to Chelsea's cross-city rivals Tottenham.
When asked, Atkins was adamant such chants must stop and said the club were
willing to take the highest forms of punishment against fans such as bans
and criminal prosecution.
"We made an initial statement after the game the other night and we are
happy to repeat but also make clear that Chelsea Football Club finds all
forms of discrimination abhorrent, and the language used in that song the
other night we find totally unacceptable," said Atkins.
"People that use this kind of language against others always try and argue a
grey area. There is no grey area. That language used was anti-Semitic and we
have a zero tolerance policy towards it.
"If there is there is evidence that season ticket holders or members took
part in that and take part in it in the future then we will take the
strongest possible action against them which includes bans.
"People should know that the police will be investigating and they will
investigate all future such episodes, and we will support the police in
anything that they do, assist their enquiries, and we will also support
criminal prosecution of such behaviour and activity.
"We must be clear on this because it has to stop."
Conte added: "We are totally in agreement with the club. We must pay great
attention.
"You know very well that I love our fans because they push us a lot during
the game but I think we must pay great attention in the future."
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