Rudiger Calls For Stricter Punishments For Racists

By Max Wise

Chelsea’s defender, Antonio Rudiger, has called on football authorities to hand out harsher punishments to people, who subject players to racist chants.

According to the German international, failure by authorities to severely punish such culprits makes them culpable of the offense and even worse than the offenders.

"They need to do more", Rudiger said, speaking at a Chelsea Foundation equality and diversity workshop. "If they don't do more than they are doing, then they are the same as the people doing it."

"Maybe, sometimes, they think it's hard to punish their fans, but at the end of the day, to me, it's a clear sign that you're accepting it."

Rudiger has been at the receiving end of some cruel racist chants in his career.

The 25-year-old former VfB Stuttgart defender, was abused in March 2017 by Lazio fans whiles playing for Serie A side AS Roma.

The incident prompted the stadium announcer to warn that the game would be halted if it continued.

Rudiger joined Chelsea from AS Roma in the summer of 2017, and was again subjected to ‘monkey chants’ by fans of his former club when Chelsea drew 3-3 with AS Roma at Stamford Bridge in the UEFA Champions League.

UEFA investigated the case but did punish the Italian club.

"I dealt with that in my own way, by keeping quiet and respecting Italian culture.”

"I can never say that I did wrong or misbehaved, that's what's important for me and that's how I carried on.”

"Just because some idiots say things, I don't need to involve the whole of Italy in that, I like Italy and had a great time there but some people need to get punished harder."