Mohamed Salah: Liverpool condemn ‘bomber’ chant by Chelsea fans as ‘unadulterated bigotry’
The Reds released a statement in response to a ‘dangerous and disturbing’ video of Blues fans in Prague
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Liverpool insist Chelsea fans singing about Mohamed Salah being a “bomber” is “dangerous and disturbing.”
A video circulated on social media showed Blues supporters in Prague singing about the Egyptian forward ahead of their Europa League quarter-final first leg against Slavia Prague.
“Salah is a bomber” was heard in the video, with fans condemning the Islamophobic song.
Liverpool have called for action and labelled the action of the group of Chelsea supporters as “unadulterated bigotry.”
“The video circulating online, showing vile discriminatory chants being aimed at one of our players, is dangerous and disturbing.
“Already this season, we have seen repulsive discriminatory abuse inside stadiums in England, Europe and across the world; abuse that was captured on devices and put into the public domain.
"We have also witnessed numerous hateful attacks on social media.
“This behaviour needs to be called out for what it is – unadulterated bigotry. Liverpool Football Club believes it is the responsibility of those in positions of authority, following proper process, to act urgently to identify and then punish anyone committing a hate crime.
“There is no place for this behaviour in football, there is no place for it in society. A crime of this nature has more victims than any individual it is aimed at and, as such, collective and decisive action is needed to address it.”
Chelsea also announced their fans seen abusing their former player were “embarrassing.”
“Chelsea FC finds all forms of discriminatory behaviour abhorrent and where there is clear evidence of Chelsea season ticket holders or members involved in such behaviour, we will take the strongest possible action against them.
“Such individuals are an embarrassment to the vast majority of Chelsea supporters who won’t tolerate them in their club.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments