Chelsea charged by FA over alleged discriminatory chanting at Fulham

Chelsea have been charged by the Football Association over alleged discriminatory behaviour by supporters during their Premier League victory at Fulham on 24 August. BBC Sport reported that the case concerns conduct in the ninth minute of the match at Craven Cottage, which Chelsea won 3-2 at the start of the league season.

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The FA says the club breached Rule E21 by failing to ensure that its spectators or supporters behaved appropriately. Its allegation covers behaviour described as improper, offensive, abusive or insulting, with the discriminatory element relating to religion or belief. The governing body's statement specifies that the religious reference could have been either explicit or implied. These remain allegations set out in a charge, rather than a reported disciplinary finding against Chelsea.

Chelsea had already contacted supporters after the Fulham match about reports of chanting. According to the BBC, the club acknowledged receiving several reports of sectarian chants involving a small section of its following. That correspondence preceded the news of the FA charge and addressed the conduct reported during the away victory, rather than announcing the outcome of any disciplinary proceedings.

In its message to fans, Chelsea said discriminatory chanting was unacceptable and warned that supporters found guilty would face the strongest action available to the club. The BBC report did not identify individual supporters or announce penalties against them. The club's warning therefore concerned potential action against those responsible, while the newly reported FA case is directed at Chelsea over the behaviour of its spectators and supporters.

The broadcaster also recalled a previous incident in 2021, when Chelsea condemned a supporter seen on social media directing sectarian abuse at Aston Villa's Scottish international John McGinn. That episode is separate from the latest charge, which specifically concerns the August fixture against Fulham. The report did not describe it as part of the current allegation.

On the pitch, Chelsea sit 10th in the Premier League with seven points from their opening five matches, according to BBC Sport. Its account of the charge did not include a disciplinary decision or a sanction in the Fulham case.