Chelsea charged by FA over alleged discriminatory chanting at Fulham
Chelsea have been charged by the Football Association over alleged discriminatory chanting by their fans at Fulham.
The charge centres on the ninth minute of Chelsea's 3-2 Premier League win at Craven Cottage on 24 August. That game is the West London derby, a short trip across the borough with a loud history. Chelsea won it on a Monday night.
The FA alleges Chelsea breached Rule E21, the rule that makes clubs responsible for the behaviour of their supporters. The claim is that the club failed to ensure its fans did not act in an improper, offensive, abusive or insulting way. The FA further alleges the behaviour was discriminatory because it included a reference, direct or implied, to religion or belief, according to BBC Sport.
The chant at the centre of the case has been identified as 'Flute for 50 Pence', as reported by Football.London. Earlier reporting on the Fulham match said chanting heard from a section of Chelsea supporters included anti-Pope and anti-IRA references, per The Times of India. Sectarian chanting is language that targets people over religion or related identity. You do not need to know the words to understand why football's authorities treat it seriously.
Chelsea wrote to supporters after the Fulham game. The club said it had received multiple reports of sectarian chanting from a small portion of fans. It said it does not condone discriminatory chants. Fans found guilty would face the strongest possible action.
That message was firm. It also put the responsibility back on the away end. One section can create a problem for the whole club, and the FA's rules are written that way on purpose.
There is recent context here. Hull City were fined £30,000 over discriminatory chanting during their 4-0 FA Cup defeat by Chelsea in February, with bans also issued in connection with that tie, according to BBC Sport. That case showed how the process works. The club is charged, the evidence is heard, and punishment can mean a fine and exclusion for individuals.
For supporters, this means attention now moves off the pitch. The 3-2 result at Craven Cottage stands. Chelsea must now answer the charge through the FA's disciplinary process, which will decide what happens next.
