Chelsea’s Premier League win at Tottenham was marred by alleged racist behaviour from the crowd.

Referee Anthony Taylor stopped play in the second half after an object was thrown on to the pitch and he was approached by Blues defender Antonio Rudiger.

An address made over the public address system then warned “racist behaviour is interfering with the game”.

Second and third announcements followed with the game heading towards its end.

The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) and Tottenham have confirmed that the game was stopped over a single incident of alleged racist behaviour.

Uefa’s three-step protocol says that a game can be abandoned if fans have been warned twice before.

A statement issued by Tottenham read: “We are now conducting a thorough investigation, which will include liaising with Chelsea and their players for their observations. Any form of racism is completely unacceptable and will not be tolerated in our stadium.

“We take any such allegations extremely seriously and shall take the strongest possible action against any individual found to be behaving in such a way, including stadium bans.”

Tottenham forward Son Heung-min had been sent off after a clash involving Rudiger moments earlier.

‘We need to eradicate racism’

In his post-match interview, Chelsea captain Cesar Azpilicueta said: “It is made very clear to us all that if we have heard any racist incident to report it.

“Toni came to me and told me he was listening to racist songs towards him, so I reported it to the referee.

“We are very concerned and aware of the problems. Altogether we need to make it stop. I hope everything gets clear and we eradicate it as soon as possible. It’s a problem not just in football but in life.”

Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho reiterated that view in his post-match interview on Sky Sports.

“I saw nothing. I saw the referee follow the protocol, he came to [fourth official] Andre Marriner, he came to me and Frank Lampard and told us what was happening,” he said.

“The protocol was followed and we are one of the clubs; every club is together on this situation and of course we are disappointed.”

Tottenham defender Toby Alderweireld added: “It does not belong in football, I hope they find the individuals quickly because it is not good and we are all sick of it.”

Speaking at the game, former Newcastle and Tottenham midfielder Jermaine Jenas said: “With the technology they have in this stadium, I would be shocked if they could not pinpoint the individual.

“That person will be isolated and dealt with accordingly. There is no place for it but I want more than an announcement.

“I do not want them back in the stadium ever again – sadly some people are that ignorant.”

‘I don’t understand how you stop it’

Former England and Chelsea defender Ashley Cole admitted he had “a lot of abuse” from the stands during his time as a player.

“You try to block it out, but obviously he [Rudiger] has heard something,” Cole said on Sky Sports.

“Players keep going to the referee, but we see the same things happening. These people need educating. In society it is easy to say what you want on social media, you don’t see their faces.

“No-one knows the answer. I don’t understand how you stop it to be honest.”

A year of shame

The incident comes a year after racism in football hit the headlines after Manchester City striker Raheem Sterling was subjected to racist abuse at Stamford Bridge in December 2018, which led to a permanent ban for a Chelsea supporter.

Sterling was also one of a number of England players who faced monkey chants and Nazi salutes in Euro 2020 qualifiers this year.

A supporter was also arrested and bailed over allegations of racist abuse against Manchester United players during their Premier League match at Manchester City on 7 December.

A video had been circulated on social media of a man appearing to make monkey gestures and sounds towards United players at Etihad Stadium.

Serie A’s ‘No To Racism’ campaign – which arrived off the back of a number of racist incidents in Italy – has been widely condemned after they commissioned posters showing three monkeys with painted faces.