Chelsea look to identify taunting fans

QPR's Anton Ferdinand shares a few words with Terry during Sunday's match at Loftus Road (PA)

Chelsea have begun the tricky process of trying to identify those fans responsible for taunting Anton Ferdinand during their Champions League game at Genk.

The Blues issued a statement in which they vowed to do everything possible to prevent a repeat of the chanting which marred their 1-1 Group E draw at the Cristal Arena.

Singling out individuals from a travelling support of 1,100 could prove difficult, especially as it is understood there is no supporting CCTV footage.

The club instead would be relying largely on television pictures in the hope of unearthing the ringleaders of what they branded "a vocal minority", who were clearly heard chanting, "Anton Ferdinand, you know what you are".

The song appeared to represent a show of support for Chelsea and England captain John Terry, who is under police investigation over allegations he racially abused QPR defender Ferdinand during last month's west London derby, something he denies.

A Chelsea spokesman said: "The chanting on Tuesday night by a vocal minority was wholly inappropriate and Chelsea Football Club does not condone such behaviour.

"We will be working with the appropriate authorities to seek out those responsible.

"Chelsea FC believes - as we are sure do the vast majority of our fans - that all forms of discrimination are abhorrent and have no place in our society.

"As a club, we work hard on educating our fans on these issues and will continue to do so.

"We work closely with the football authorities and anti-racism organisations and we are fully committed to eradicating racism and all other forms of discrimination from the game.

"Tuesday night's offensive chants were from a minority and, as such, they do not represent what supporting Chelsea Football Club is all about."

Meanwhile, goalkeeper Petr Cech is confident Saturday's Barclays Premier League trip to Blackburn will be the turning point in Chelsea's stuttering season.

The Blues have won just one of their last four games in all competitions - and that victory required extra-time - throwing Champions League Group E wide open with two matches to play and leaving them nine points adrift of Premier League leaders Manchester City.

Cech said: "Blackburn could be a real turning point for us because it is a difficult place to go all the time.

"We had two results we didn't wish for, which was the loss against Arsenal and the draw to Genk.

"But the best way to forget about this is to win games.

"We can't afford to drop many points in the Premier League because we are already behind."

PA