Stamford Bridge set for partial closure over racist chanting

Chelsea are facing the possibility of closing parts of Stamford Bridge for a Europa League game this season after UEFA launched an official investigation into alleged racist chanting heard from their fans last month.

The Mail Online report that European football's governing body are looking critically into December's group stage game at MOL Vidi in Bucharest, a 2-2 draw, where some of the Chelsea’s travelling fans sang a song which refers to Tottenham as 'Yids'.

The club condemned the fans after the incident, which occurred just days after Raheem Sterling had suffered alleged racial abuse when playing against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in a Premier League match.

The case has been opened by UEFA and are due to deliberate on it on February 28.

That comes exactly one week after the Blues’ knockout round match against Swedish side Malmo at Stamford Bridge, meaning that this fixture will not be affected.

But should Sarri's side progress to the next round then a future fixture in this season's Europa League could be played in front of a partially closed stadium.

If the chants are repeated, UEFA could extend the punishment and make the Blues play in front of a completely empty stadium.

Roman Abramovich and chairman of the club, Bruce Buck, are said to be committed to stamp out anti-Semitism at the club, and are leading the charge to combat discrimination.