Chelsea have been charged by the Football Association over alleged discriminatory behaviour by fans during their win at Fulham at the start of the Premier League season.

Chelsea wrote to supporters following the 3-2 victory at Craven Cottage on 24 August, acknowledging receiving “multiple reports of sectarian chanting from a small portion” of fans.

The Blues said they do not condone any discriminatory chants, and that fans found guilty would face “the strongest possible action”.

A statement from an FA spokesperson read: “Chelsea FC has been charged with breaching FA Rule E21 during the ninth minute of its Premier League fixture against Fulham FC on 24 August.

“It’s alleged that the club failed to ensure its spectators and/or supporters did not behave in an improper, offensive, abusive or insulting way.

“It’s further alleged that this behaviour was discriminatory in that it included a reference, whether express or implied, to religion or belief.”

In 2021 Chelsea condemned the actions of a fan who was seen on social media aiming sectarian abuse at Aston Villa‘s Scottish international John McGinn.

The Blues are 10th in the Premier League on seven points after the opening five games.

Super Eagles manager Eric Chelle is confident in his players’ mentality and ability to secure a victory against Madagascar despite the absence of several key players.

The former Malian tactician will be without key players, including Galatasaray star Victor Osimhen, Brighton duo Zadok Yohanna and Femi Azeez, Lazio’s Fisayo Dele-Bashiru and MLSer Alhassan Yusuf for Friday’s encounter due to injuries.

However, Chelle believes their absence will not be a problem for the team when they face Madagascar at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium on Friday.

“We have a lot of injuries, Femi Azeez, Zadok Yohanna, Victor {Osimhen}, Alhassan Yusuf, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru,” he said in an interview

“We have a lot of injuries but this is not a problem for us. Of course, I prefer these guys to be with us.”

Speaking during his press conference, Chelle expects a difficult encounter against the Barea, recalling Madagascar’s victory over Nigeria at the 2019 AFCON.

“We have to work on it, so we are ready to play the game,” he added.

“It is going to be a difficult game because Madagascar is a big team. I think they won against Nigeria in 2019.”

Chelle described the game as a fight and expressed confidence in his players’ mentality, insisting that they would be ready to compete when the two teams meet.

“We have to be ready. It is going to be a fight. The players have a good state of mind and we will be ready tomorrow,” Chelle concluded.

Chelle will be hoping the Super Eagles can secure a victory and begin their AFCON qualifying campaign on a positive note.

Kai Havertz was forced off during the first half of Germany’s Nations League clash against the Netherlands, handing Arsenal an early injury concern during the international break.

Havertz was tasked with leading the line in Jurgen Klopp’s first match as Germany’s new head coach.

The 27-year-old lasted just 30 minutes of the fixture with the forward having gone down appearing to signal an issue with his hamstring.

Havertz’s issue emerged just minutes after he had fallen victim to a poor challenge from Quinten Timber, the brother of Havertz’s Arsenal team-mate Jurrien.

Timber had arrived late for a challenge and caught Havertz high on his knee, with the German attacker immediately falling to the pitch.

Havertz appeared fortunate that the late challenge had only seen Timber’s boot brush his knee, rather than make significant contact.

Havertz ultimately left the field with a hamstring issue later in the half, with Younes Ebnoutalib coming on to make his international debut as his replacement.

While Havertz walked off the pitch, the injury will be of concern to Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta.

Havertz has been an ever-present for the Gunners’ starting line-up in their first five Premier League matches of the campaign, with Arteta backing him to lead their attack.

The extended international break will give Havertz time to recover before Arsenal’s next Premier League match against Leeds on October 10.

There was another injury issue for a Premier League side, with Sunderland forward Brian Brobbey also being forced off with a hamstring problem.

Brobbey, who scored a hat-trick against Man City last weekend, went down for the Netherlands during a Germany attack in the first half.

Despite appeals from the Dutch to kick the ball out, Germany continued to attack and ultimately opened the scoring through Felix Nmecha.

Dutch players clashed with their German opponents after being angered over the nature of the goal, with Brobbey also needing to be replaced due to his injury.