Chelsea
defender Antonio Rudiger reported alleged racist abuse from Tottenham fans
in Sunday's Premier League match, resulting in a stadium announcement saying
"racist behaviour among spectators is interfering with the game".
The announcement over speakers at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium also said:
"Please remember that racism has no place in football."
Match referee Anthony Taylor implemented the first step of FIFA's protocol
dealing with discrimination in games.
Rudiger was seen around the 63rd minute indicating he had faced racist
abuse, imitating a monkey gesture.
Chelsea won the game 2-0 with Willian scoring both goals, with Spurs having
had Heung-Min Son sent off in the second half for violent conduct.
Chelsea head coach Frank Lampard confirmed that both Cesar Azpilicueta and
Rudiger went to speak to match officials about the incident after the final
whistle.
Azpilicueta: I reported Rudiger abuse to
ref
Chelsea captain Azpilicueta explained after the game how he reported the
abuse directed at Rudiger to the match referee.
"You know it is very clear every time we have meetings with the Premier
League and the referees. Before the game, we have been told to report if any
incidents of racism happen straight away to the referee," he told Sky
Sports.
"Antonio came to me and told me that he had listened to racist songs towards
him so I just reported it to the referee immediately.
"I left it to the ref to do his job. We are very concerned and aware of this
behaviour, altogether we have to stop it.
"(I don't know if other players heard) because we went straight to play and
then the incident with Son and his red card was towards this area, where it
happened.
"I hope everything becomes clear and we eradicate it as soon as possible.
It's an issue in not only football but life - we need to work together
towards eradication."
Mourinho: I saw ref follow protocol
Spurs boss Mourinho expressed little knowledge of the racism incident, and
insisted referee Anthony Taylor and his colleagues followed the set protocol
for such situations.
"I saw nothing," he said. "I saw the referee following the protocol, I saw
the referee speaking with (fourth official Andre) Marriner, I saw the
referee coming to me and to Lampard and tell us what was going on, and the
protocol was followed.
"Every club is together on this situation and of course we are
disappointed."
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