JAN VERTONGHEN apologised on behalf of Tottenham after sick racist abuse marred their fiery London derby with Chelsea.
Spurs were trailing 2-0 and down to ten-men after Son Heung-min’s red card when play was halted in the 63rd minute.
Jan Vertonghen was disgusted by what Rudiger had to go through
Blues defender Antonio Rudiger told skipper Cesar Azpilicueta he was being subjected to monkey chants from home supporters before the pair reported it to the referee.
The FA and Tottenham have launched an investigation into the vile incident, and Spurs defender Vertonghen has called on authorities to act strongly against the latest sickening racist incident to tarnish the English game.
The 32-year-old Belgian centre-half said: “I didn’t hear anything but these things are still happening and it’s a disgrace and we should act strong against this.
“I have got no idea how people still, or ever, talk this way. Sometimes you think people are smarter than this. I’m very convinced it’s just a minority but it’s very wrong.
“I don’t know if it’s getting worse but it shouldn’t be there anyway. I just can’t get my head around how people do this and I have no words for it.
“If any of our players or their players are affected by it then I apologise in the name of Spurs, but like I said it’s a minority of idiots.
“We don’t identify with these people.”
The disgusted Vertonghen continued: “I don’t know how you fix these idiots but this is an opportunity for the right people to act strong against it.
Son Heung-min had been red carded in a stormy affair at White Hart LaneCredit: Reuters
“Not just here, but in Belgium, Holland, the countries where I watch football, it’s a problem everywhere and this is another opportunity to make a statement.
“My general feeling is that in England they act strong and maybe they have to act even stronger outside of the UK. I’m taking about Uefa and the other FAs in European countries, they can do better.”
Incidents of racial abuse seem to be on the rise with Manchester United midfielder Fred subjected to monkey gestures in the recent derby win over City.
The FA Cup match between Haringey Borough and Yeovil Town was abandoned after reports of racism in the stands in October.
That same month Gareth Southgate’s England team faced Nazi salutes and monkey chants from the home crowd in Bulgaria during their Euro 2020 qualifier.
Vertonghen added: “The way I see it’s still everywhere, it’s not in different countries that I’ve played there’s nothing at all.
“I always see England as one of the countries who is ahead in the multi-cultural society – that’s why I love London and the UK.
“This country I think is ahead of other countries and it hurts. It’s not just a problem in this stadium, England or the UK, it’s everywhere in the world and it’s wrong.”
Chelsea’s two-goal hero Willian said: “It’s a shame. We have to find the solution to stop this kind of thing.
Willian brilliantly fired Chelsea to victory over lacklustre SpursCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
“The people that did this to Toni have to stop coming to the stadium. Of course it is difficult to say about this situation but we are there on the pitch to do our job and our best.
“It’s difficult when these situations happen and we just have to concentrate and leave the decision to the referee.
“We just have to report it to the referee and continue to play.”
Antonio Rüdiger accuses Spurs fan of making monkey chants after Son sent off for kicking Chelsea ace
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
