Tottenham Hotspur say their investigation into the alleged racist abuse of Chelsea’s Antonio Rudiger during Sunday’s Premier League match has been “inconclusive” so far.
Three announcements were made over the speaker system at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium stating that “racist behaviour from spectators is interfering with the game” after Rudiger reported hearing monkey chants to match officials.
Tottenham revealed they have scanned CCTV footage and engaged lip readers in an effort to identify any offenders since the incident and promised to issue “lifetime bans” to any supporters found guilty as the investigation continues.
The club's statement read: ”During yesterday’s match against Chelsea, Antonio Rudiger reported hearing alleged racist abuse from an individual(s) in the South Stand.
“We are able to track every fan via the cameras and have spent many hours reviewing CCTV footage. We have engaged lip readers to study the footage and contacted Chelsea for further information from their players. We have also taken statements from other parties present at the time. The police will be reviewing our evidence alongside us. Please be assured we shall be exhaustively investigating this matter.
“This Club has a proud track record of anti-racism work across all our communities and we are determined to ensure that we conduct a thorough investigation. Any fan found to be guilty will receive a lifetime ban. At this time however we should point out that our findings are inconclusive and would ask that comment is reserved until the facts are established.
“If anyone has any further information they should please email supporterservices@tottenhamhotspur.com or text 07537 404821.
“In respect of protocols – when the incident was conveyed to the referee Anthony Taylor, he took the decision to call for the implementation of Stage 1 of the Uefa protocol – rather than the Premier League protocol – and asked for an announcement to be made, as well as requesting a further announcement which created a misconception that any issue was on-going. The Premier League protocol differs from Uefa protocol in that it does not call for an announcement rather that the individual(s) be dealt with by the Safety Team in the first instance.
“We have asked that the Premier League clarifies the position regarding the use of these protocols to all stakeholders going forward.”
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