Cesc Fabregas happy for Chelsea fans ‘to be taught a lesson’ after antisemitic chanting in Europa League

Cesc Fabregas claims he would be happy if Chelsea are “taught a lesson”, if it means expelling racism from football, after the club’s travelling support were heard chanting antisemitic slurs just three minutes into their Europa League tie with MOL Vidi.

The incident came just five days after four Chelsea supporters in the front row at Stamford Bridge were suspended indefinitely by the club pending further investigation after Raheem Sterling was racially abused.

A Chelsea spokesperson released a statement immediately after the match had finished, condemning the small sect of ‘brainless’ supporters who are shaming the club.

“I don’t want that image anywhere,” Fabregas said after Olivier Giroud’s late free-kick clinched a drab 2-2 draw for Maurizio Sarri’s side.

“But I repeat: I think it’s really unfair to point the finger at one football club, just because of one, two, three, four people … they don’t deserve to be in the stadium. We all agree about that. If that means or this helps in this situation for this not to happen somewhere else, all over the world, not only in football, any kind of sport or social life. I’d be happy with this.

“If we have to be taught a lesson at Chelsea to improve whatever happens around the world, then I’m happy. But to point the finger at one football club because of three or four of these people, I don’t think it’s deserved and I don’t agree with that.

“It’s easy to point now at the Chelsea supporters that did that. Unfortunately this happens in many places. It’s true it happened this weekend, we cannot deny that, but to point the finger at one football club because of that I think it’s really unfair. There’s an investigation, the club is dealing with this very, very well. Whatever needs to be done will be done. I’ve no doubt about that.

“When we cross the line with racism, it’s too far, it shouldn’t be allowed. The people that get caught, they will be punished and they will be taught a big lesson in their lives. I hope this will help for many other reasons in life.”

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, who is Jewish himself, is said to be particularly aggrieved by recent events, having launched a campaign in January to raise awareness about antisemitism in football and at the club.

Fabregas claimed it was the first time he had such chanting during his four-and-a-half year career with Chelsea, and stressed that such supporters did not represent the true face of the club.

“This is not the real face of Chelsea. I’m sorry to hear that. If something happened it will be dealt with. The focus now is on Chelsea for what happened. Unfortunately if we look around carefully all over the world, all sports, all football clubs, we will find things like that. The quicker we get rid of these people, the better.”

Fabregas’ disguised disenchantment at largely becoming a sideline fixture under Maurizio Sarri has come to a head in recent weeks, having played just 138 Premier League minutes this season.

The 31-year-old, who has 110 international caps for Spain, has little over seven months to run on his contract and will leave the club as a free agent next summer, if an approach isn’t made in January.

“I know what my role is,” Fabregas said. “Unfortunately it’s not the one I want. I’m keeping it professional as usual. I’m always trying to do my best, in the conditions, playing with the youngsters, playing with the first team, even though this year I still haven’t played with the full, full first team one game. But, I’m trying to do what I can.

“It’s a difficult situation for me, obviously. I’m playing the cups and the Europa League. I don’t give up. I’m not someone who you’ll see complaining or not giving his all because of that. I’ll always be there showing my face when needed and if the time comes the time comes.”