Olivier Giroud condemns racist Chelsea supporters

Oliver Giroud has blasted Chelsea supporters who were filmed singing racist songs about Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah.

The video went viral on Wednesday and was met with immediate action by Chelsea, who banned three of the men filmed from attending the club’s Europa League tie with Slavia Prague last night.

And Giroud has thrown his backing behind Salah.

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SOUTHAMPTON, ENGLAND – APRIL 05: Mohamed Salah of Liverpool celebrates with team mates Roberto Firmino of Liverpool and Andy Robertson of Liverpool after scoring their team’s second goal during the Premier League match between Southampton FC and Liverpool FC at St Mary’s Stadium on April 05, 2019 in Southampton, United Kingdom. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)

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“I think these people shouldn’t belong to Chelsea,” he said.

“I think the club and everybody condemns these kind of things, and we are 100 per cent behind Mo Salah. I think nowadays it shouldn’t happen.”

Chelsea and Liverpool roundly condemned the video in statements released last night.

Chelsea: “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.”

Liverpool: “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.

“As pertains to this latest incident, the club is working with Merseyside Police to ascertain the facts around this footage with the aim of identifying individuals featuring in it.

“In addition, we are working directly with Chelsea Football Club on the matter.

“We thank them for their condemnation and a commitment to act urgently to identify any individuals responsible.”

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Source: anfieldhq.com