Chelsea call for end of sexism after 'horrible' chanting footage

Recordings of fans at Manchester United and Manchester City chanting and shouting horrible obscenities at Carneiro were broadcast by the BBC on Thursday night, leading to an unequivocal statement from the Blues.

A spokesman for the club told the Guardian: "The issue of equality is one we take extremely seriously and we abhor discrimination in all its forms, including sexism.

"Such behaviour is unacceptable and we want it eradicated from the game."

FA board member Heather Rabbatts described the abuse as "horrible", adding, "we are absolutely encouraging people to report incidents like this."

Campaign group Women in Football is launching an anti-sexism social media drive on Friday and has also contacted all 92 Premier League and Football League clubs asking them to champion female members of staff in their matchday programmes ahead of International Women's Day on March 8.

Minister for Sport Helen Grant is supporting the initiative.

She said: "It is absolutely right that we champion and celebrate women who work in the football industry and play vital roles in making the game the success that it is.

"I want more women to get involved in football across the board and to see it as a great industry to work in.

"Sexism, in any shape or form, should not be tolerated so I applaud this push to encourage people to report any incidents of sexist abuse and for the promotion of inclusivity across football."

Carneiro spoke last year about the trouble there is for females working in football with a distinct absence of specific role models.

"As a male you can aspire to having a successful professional life and a fulfilling personal life,” she said, speaking at a medical conference in Sweden.

"Women are told that if they want to have both, at best it’s going to be difficult and at worse it’s going to be a disaster.

"Ninety per cent of the mail I receive is from young women wanting to perform the same role. We need to tell them it’s possible and that their presence will improve results."