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Lampard wants action over racist abuse of Rudiger after Chelsea sink Spurs

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AFP London
Last Updated : Dec 23 2019 | 9:25 AM IST

Frank Lampard called for strong action to be taken after Antonio Rudiger suffered alleged racist abuse in Chelsea's 2-0 win at Tottenham, but Jose Mourinho risked adding to the defender's problems by mocking his role in Son Heung-min's dismissal.

Rudiger appeared to be subjected to monkey chants from Tottenham fans after he was involved in a second half clash with Son that triggered the South Korean's controversial red card.

Son kicked out at Rudiger after they collided and the German centre-back went to the turf clutching his stomach.

The incident was followed by the alleged racist barracking, which Rudiger reported to referee Anthony Taylor via Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta.

Taylor spoke to both managers, while the public address tannoy made three announcements warning that "racist behaviour among spectators is interfering with the game".

It is the latest incident of racism to scar European football this season, overshadowing the Willian double that gave Lampard a memorable triumph at the expense of his former Chelsea manager Mourinho.

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Chelsea boss Lampard wants firm action from the authorities, but he insists there was never any question of his team walking off the pitch in protest.

"All I know is Toni Rudiger said he heard racist chanting. I haven't had a conversation with him. Of course, I support him," Lampard said.

"I don't know if it is getting worse (in football). Of course we know there is a protocol. It needs to be dealt with strongly no matter what stadium it is."
"Rudiger for sure is having scans in the hospital on the broken ribs because it was really a violent situation! "One of the reasons I felt in love with this country was we don't call this kind of player a clever player, we call them other things that I refuse to say."
Lampard disagreed, saying: "It was a red card. Sometimes in football you have instinctive moments and it was that moment for Son. I would not have any words said about how Rudiger dealt with that."
- 'Thorough investigation' -
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"We take any such allegations extremely seriously and shall take the strongest possible action against any individual found to be behaving in such a way, including stadium bans."

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First Published: Dec 23 2019 | 9:25 AM IST

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