'I hope the offenders will be found and punished soon': Chelsea's Antonio Rudiger calls for swift action against Spurs fans who racially abused him

Rudiger was the subject of a stream of monkey chants from fans at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as Chelsea ran out 2-0 winners in Sunday's Premier League match

Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger has urged authorities to act swiftly to catch and punish the culprits who subjected him to racist abuse during Sunday's Premier League match against Tottenham Hotspur.

Rudiger was the subject of a stream of monkey chants from Spurs fans at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium as Chelsea ran out 2-0 winners to cement their grip on fourth place.

The Germany international, 26, became the target for the vile abuse from large sections of the Tottenham fans, shortly after Son Heung-min had been sent off for kicking out at him following a lengthy VAR review.

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Referee Anthony Taylor halted play when Rudiger complained of hearing monkey noises from spectators. Shortly after the stoppage, an announcement made over the public address system warned that "racist behaviour among spectators is interfering with the game" and Taylor spoke to Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho and Chelsea counterpart Frank Lampard.

Two further public address announcements followed after play was resumed.

Rudiger took to Twitter later in the evening, thanking people for their support, but also calling for decisive action.

"It is really sad to see racism again at a football match, but I think it's very important to talk about it in public. If not, it will be forgotten again in a couple of days [as always]," he said.

"I don't want to involve Tottenham as an entire club into this situation as I know that just a couple of idiots were the offenders. I got a lot of supportive messages on social media from Spurs fans as well in the last hours - thank you a lot for this.

"I really hope that the offenders will be found and punished soon, and in such a modern football ground like the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with dozens of TV and security cameras, it must be possible to find and subsequently punish them.

"If not, then there must have been witnesses in the stadium who saw and heard the incident. It's just such a shame that racism still exists in 2019. When will this nonsense stop?"

It is really sad to see racism again at a football match, but I think it's very important to talk about it in public. If not, it will be forgotten again in a couple of days (as always). (1/4)

— Antonio Rüdiger (@ToniRuediger) December 22, 2019

I don't want to involve Tottenham as an entire club into this situation as I know that just a couple of idiots were the offenders. I got a lot of supportive messages on social media from Spurs fans as well in the last hours - thank you a lot for this. (2/4)

— Antonio Rüdiger (@ToniRuediger) December 22, 2019

I really hope that the offenders will be found and punished soon, and in such a modern football ground like the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium with dozens of TV and security cameras, it must be possible to find and subsequently punish them. (3/4)

— Antonio Rüdiger (@ToniRuediger) December 22, 2019

If not, then there must have been witnesses in the stadium who saw and heard the incident. It's just such a shame that racism still exists in 2019. When will this nonsense stop? (4/4)

— Antonio Rüdiger (@ToniRuediger) December 22, 2019

The Professional Footballers' Association has called for a government inquiry into racism within football in the wake of the incident.

The PFA said in a statement late Sunday: "We are disgusted and dismayed that once again, a Premier League fixture has been tainted by abuse from the stands towards players.

"It has become clear that football players are on the receiving end of the blatant racism that is currently rife in the UK, but they are not alone.

"Racist abuse in football is not just an issue for black and ethnic minority players, it is an issue for everyone who loves the game.

"The PFA calls for a government inquiry into racism and the rise in hate crime within football."

Two weeks ago a man was identified and arrested for an alleged racist gesture caught on TV cameras during the Manchester derby between City and United, while an Italy's Serie A apologised last week after an anti-racism campaign featuring posters with images of monkeys was widely condemned.

Uefa chief Aleksander Ceferin earlier this month pledged European football's governing body was working to tackle the rising problem after a spate of incidents across the continent including the hurling of racist abuse at England players during a match in Bulgaria.

Tottenham vowed to investigate the matter and take the strongest possible action against any guilty parties, with Chelsea quick to welcome their London rivals' stance.

Tottenham Hotspur's Son Heung-min, left, appeals to Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger after the two players clashed at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The Sotuh Korean was shown a red card for the incident after a VAR review. AFP

Anti-discrimination body Kick It Out said in a statement on Sunday evening: "We are aware of the alleged racist incidents at today's game between Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea.

"We applaud the action of referee Anthony Taylor in following step one of the protocol and the ensuing steps taken by Tottenham Hotspur in repeating the stadium announcements.

"We have offered our support to both of the clubs and also to Chelsea's Antonio Rudiger."

Both managers condemned the actions of the perpetrators with Chelsea boss Lampard admitting he would support his players walking off if subjected to a future racism storm.

"In terms of walking off the pitch, I think that has to feel right in the moment," he said.

"And until that moment comes I don't want to guess what I would do. It would depend what the players were feeling and saying.

"But I would be absolutely, 100 per cent behind them if [they wanted to walk off], and I'm sure it would be a group decision. But we're not there yet, so it's hypothetical to a degree.

"All I know is that Toni Rudiger said he heard some racist chanting or comments, and I haven't had chance for an individual conversation with Toni.

"Of course I'll support Toni as we would support any of our players, or in fact any opposition players. Wherever this happens it needs to be dealt with.

"If it happened and it's fact, then punishment is needed and it needs to be strong."

Tottenham boss Mourinho - who sarcastically said he hoped Rudiger "recovers quick from the broken ribs" after Son's glancing blow - backed referee Taylor's stance in halting the match.

"I've not much to say apart from it's something that saddens me," said Mourinho.

"I hate racism in society, I hate racism in football, I'm disappointed that things like that can still happen.

"But the referee stopped the game, spoke with the players, spoke with the coaches, spoke with the captains.

"As soon as I knew the reasons why the game was stopped I obviously understood and accepted it."

A first-half brace from Brazilian winger Willian settled the tie that halted a run of four defeats in  five games for Chelsea.