This archive report was first published on 30 July 2019.
On December 8, 2018, a Chelsea fan was banned for life for using racially abusive language during a match against Manchester City at Stamford Bridge.
Five other fans were also temporarily suspended for using abusive language and threatening and aggressive behavior.
Chelsea insisted that the six fans who were sanctioned had crossed the line of what is acceptable.
According to a statement from Chelsea, the club had undertaken its own investigation, but had to delay its decision to avoid prejudicing the police probe.
Chelsea stated that it had used a civil standard of proof, rather than a criminal one, in determining the punishments.
The club also sought representations from the fans concerned, reviewed video evidence, questioned possible witnesses, and sought advice from two lip-reading professionals.
Five other fans were given bans ranging from one to two years, with some receiving shorter exclusions on the basis of undertakings about their future behavior.
Chelsea stressed that it finds all forms of discriminatory behavior abhorrent and will continue to operate a zero-tolerance approach to any incidents of racism.
