AN investigation has been launched after Scotland star John McGinn was subjected to sectarian abuse at a Premier League game in London.
Video footage circulating on social media showed the Aston Villa midfielder being pelted with insults as he took a corner at Chelsea’s home ground, Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea have pledged to take the "strongest possible action" and to identify the spectator who allegedly used "abusive language of a sectarian nature”.
The London club have appealed for help in identifying the alleged culprit from Saturday's match, which the hosts won 3-0.
"We are aware of a video circulating on social media showing an individual using abusive language of a sectarian nature in the crowd at Stamford Bridge on Saturday," a Chelsea statement read.
"Chelsea Football Club finds all forms of discriminatory behaviour totally unacceptable and we condemn the language used.
"The club is working to identify the person involved and will take the strongest possible action against them.
"Any supporter who was present in that area of the ground and has information that can assist the club's investigation should contact the club via our discrimination reporting line, 0207 3863355."
Villa thanked Chelsea for acting on the incident in a statement of their own.
"Aston Villa are grateful to our friends at Chelsea FC for their swift and decisive action in both condemning the bigotry aimed at John McGinn at Stamford Bridge and in launching an investigation to identify the culprit," the midlands club's statement read.
"Aston Villa will fully support that investigation. Both clubs have zero tolerance for the scourge of discrimination in any form when it occurs in our stadia."
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