Chelsea's UEFA Youth League clash against Qarabag was suspended after a member of the Blues' Under-19 squad was allegedly racially abused by a supporter in the crowd
17:34, 05 Nov 2025Updated 17:36, 05 Nov 2025
BAKU, AZERBAIJAN - NOVEMBER 05: General view inside the stadium prior to the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD4 match between Qarabag FK and Chelsea FC at Tofiq Bahramov Stadium on November 05, 2025 in Baku, Azerbaijan. (Photo by Aziz Karimov/Getty Images)
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Chelsea U19s' game against Qarabaq was temporarily suspended(Image: Aziz Karimov, Getty Images)
Chelsea have issued a statement slamming alleged racist abuse directed at the Blues' Under-19 team during their UEFA Youth League clash against Qarabag in Baku, which saw the match temporarily suspended.
Academy players were visibly upset following an incident involving a spectator in the stands, leading the referee to halt proceedings in Azerbaijan's capital. The Blues were leading 1-0 through Sol Gordon when the game was stopped, with he and his teammates having been celebrating near a small section of Qarabag ultras when the confrontation took place.
Those present at the match reported witnessing monkey gestures and hearing racist sounds, according to football.london.
Chelsea issued a statement saying: "We are aware of an incident during today's UEFA Youth League match in Azerbaijan in which, after scoring, a number of our players were subjected to racist abuse from an individual in the crowd.
"Racism and all forms of discriminatory behaviour are completely unacceptable and have no place in football or indeed in society. We strongly condemn the actions of the individual responsible.
BAKU, AZERBAIJAN - NOVEMBER 05: Enzo Fernandez, Estevao, Joao Pedro and Andrey Santos of Chelsea inspect the pitch prior to the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD4 match between Qarabag FK and Chelsea FC at Tofiq Bahramov Stadium on November 05, 2025 in Baku, Azerbaijan. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
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Chelsea's first team are also in Baku as they take on Qarabaq on Wednesday evening(Image: Darren Walsh, Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
"Our players have the full support of everyone at the club, and we have raised the incident immediately with the UEFA match delegate and home club: We expect this matter to be investigated fully under UEFA's disciplinary procedures.
"We are proud of the way our players and staff responded to the incident on the pitch, swiftly reporting it to the referee, and commend those for dealing with the matter professionally and appropriately in line with UEFA protocols.
"Chelsea Football Club is immensely proud of the diversity within our team and across our entire club and will continue to work with UEFA to ensure that those responsible for discriminatory behaviour in football are held accountable."
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Qarabag also released a statement expressing regret: "We are sorry about this incident. It does not represent the values of our club and we will investigate thoroughly."
After a brief pause, the match resumed and Chelsea clinched a resounding 5-0 victory with Jesse Derry scoring twice while Shim Mheuka and Frankie Runham each contributed a goal.
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Enzo Maresca's side are in Baku for their Champions League clash against Qarabag on Wednesday evening.