This archive report was first published on 24 December 2019.
Published on December 24, 2019, the UK government has urged football authorities to intensify their anti-racism efforts, following a recent incident at a Premier League match between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur.
Chelsea's 2-0 win away at London rivals Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on Sunday saw referee Anthony Taylor halt play during the second half when Antonio Rudiger complained of hearing monkey noises from spectators.
Shortly after the stoppage, an announcement made over the public address system warned that 'racist behaviour among spectators is interfering with the game' and Taylor spoke to both managers, Jose Mourinho and Frank Lampard.
After the match, Rudiger tweeted: 'It's just such a shame that racism still exists in 2019.' The German added, saying the security cameras at the recently opened Tottenham Hotspur Stadium ought to make it possible to find, and subsequently punish, any offenders.
Meanwhile, England's Professional Footballers Association, in a statement issued late Sunday, called for a 'government inquiry into racism and the rise in hate crime within football.'
A Downing Street spokesman said Monday that 'racism of any kind has no place in football or anywhere else and we must confront this vile behaviour.' The spokesman added that the government would be 'monitoring how the football authorities implement their plans through the season.'
