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."
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