Chelsea Football Club has officially condemned the alleged racist abuse that occurred during an academy match against Qarabag in Azerbaijan. The incident took place at the Azersun Stadium in Baku, where 17-year-old striker Sol Gordon scored in the 57th minute and celebrated in close proximity to a section of fans. Eyewitnesses reported that several supporters displayed monkey gestures towards the players. The match was temporarily halted as players voiced their concerns to the Ukrainian referee, Dmytro Kubriak, with coaching staff, including head coach Calum McFarlane, engaging in discussions regarding the abuse. Although it seemed that Chelsea might withdraw from the match, they ultimately continued to play and secured a decisive 5-0 victory. Winger Jesse Derry, who received a booking for his provocative celebration in front of the home supporters, scored two goals, while substitutes Shim Mheuka and Frankie Runham contributed to the tally. In a statement, Chelsea expressed: “We are aware of an incident during today’s UEFA Youth League match in Azerbaijan, where several of our players were subjected to racist abuse from an individual in the crowd following a goal. Racism and all forms of discriminatory behavior are completely unacceptable and have no place in football or society. We strongly condemn the actions of the individual responsible.” The club affirmed its support for the players and confirmed that the incident has been reported to the UEFA match delegate and the home club, expecting a thorough investigation under UEFA’s disciplinary procedures. Chelsea commended their players and staff for their swift response in reporting the incident appropriately in line with UEFA protocols. In response, a spokesperson for Qarabag expressed surprise at the incident, stating, “This does not represent the values of the club,” and assured a comprehensive investigation. UEFA’s disciplinary body will review the referee’s report before taking further actions. Chelsea currently leads the UEFA Youth League table with four victories in four matches.
