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PICTURED: Raheem Sterling

CHELSEA FOOTBALL Club has permanently banned a fan for hurling racial abuse at Raheem Sterling during their home match against Manchester City at Stamford Bridge last season.

After months of investigating and an independent police investigation, the club have confirmed six people have been sanctioned, one receiving a permanent ban.

The club concluded that despite the Crown Prosecution Service finding no criminal offence caused, with the assistance of two lip readers, they were able to decipher the racially abusive words used by the fans and deemed them inconsistent with ticketing terms and conditions.

The club branded the fans behaviour “abhorrent” and insisted they have a “zero tolerance” approach when it comes to racist incidents.

A statement regarding the sanctions read: “One individual has been permanently excluded from Stamford Bridge for the use of racially abusive language and threatening and aggressive behaviour. Prior to making its decision, the Club noted the decision of the CPS not to charge this individual with a criminal offence.

“While the Club respects the decision of the CPS, the question that it had to determine was not whether a criminal offence had been committed, but rather whether the individual acted in breach of the ticketing terms and conditions.

"In reaching its decision, the Club took into account the denial made by the individual as well as a range of other evidence, including video evidence and evidence from two lip reading experts - both of whom advised that the individual had used words that are racially abusive.”

“Chelsea Football Club finds all forms of discriminatory behaviour abhorrent and we will continue to operate a zero tolerance approach to any incidents of racism. We are proud to be a diverse, inclusive club where people from all cultures, communities and identities feel welcome.”

The clubs announcement comes shortly after Director of football at Queen Parks Rangers Les Ferdinand released a statement stating much more needs to be done than issue fines if we really want to reduce the number of racial incidents in football.

Hopefully Chelsea’s lifetime sanctions are a step in the right direction.

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