Malaysia / 28-07-2011
Kuala Lumpur - Chelsea have made a formal complaint to the Malaysian FA after Yossi Benayoun was subjected to "offensive" racist abuse.
Israeli midfielder Benayoun was jeered and taunted during last Thursday's friendly with a Malaysian XI in Kuala Lumpur.
Malaysia is a largely Muslim country and, while Chelsea insist most of the crowd was supportive, the club claims that Benayoun was subjected to antisemitic abuse because of differences in religion and culture.
Chelsea claim they were unsure at first whether the abuse was antisemitic as Jose Bosingwa was also booed. But after talking to supporters and fans' groups they have decided to take the matter further and written to the Malaysian FA.
Chelsea last night issued a statement confirming the complaint and said: "Notwithstanding most fans behaving appropriately on the night, we believe Yossi was subjected to antisemitic abuse by a number of supporters at the game.
"Such behaviour is offensive, totally unacceptable and has no place in football."