New Chelsea manager Frank Lampard has hit out at some supporters of the club who were heard singing an offensive chant about West Ham during the pre-season game against Reading.
The Blues won the game 4-3, with Ross Barkley, Kenedy and Mason Mount twice getting on the scoresheet.
However, the victory was slightly overshadowed by reports of a minority of Chelsea fans singing a song which include the lyrics “Frankie Lampard, Frankie Lampard, scored 200 against the pikeys."
The song is a reference to Lampard scoring his 200th goal for the club against his old club West Ham, but after the match he was quick to condemn those doing the singing as it appears to target the travelling community.
“I didn’t hear the song in question and of course if there’s a song that has offensive words I don’t want to hear that," he said.
"That's me saying that as a big Chelsea man who really appreciates the support. We don't want songs with offensive words. If the fans could sing other songs, I'll back that. The club are very clear with the work we do off the pitch about anything that's offensive or prejudiced."
This is not the first time Chelsea fans have been criticised for their songs, and last season they were condemned for an anti-semitic song about Alvaro Morata and for offensive chants towards Liverpool's Mo Salah.
Lampard was full of praise for two players in particular following the final whistle.
“Ross Barkley’s finish was absolute class and Mason’s was quality," he said. "I know where I want to get to with this team.”
Chelsea have two more pre-season matches against Red Bull Salzburg on Wednesday and Borussia Monchengladbach on Saturday before Lampard takes charge of his first competitive game at Chelsea as they travel to Manchester United for their opening Premier League fixture of the new season on August 11.
