Chelsea Football Club has taken the extraordinary step of launching a formal investigation into the Professional Footballers' Association's (PFA) handling of the Eni Aluko racial abuse case, Mail Sport can exclusively reveal.
The club is demanding full transparency from the players' union regarding its controversial role during the 2017 scandal, which saw the former England striker allegedly subjected to discriminatory remarks from then-national team manager Mark Sampson.
Seeking Answers from the Players' Union
Chelsea's move comes amid growing concerns over the PFA's historic response to discrimination cases. The club has specifically requested detailed documentation and communications from the union related to their support—or alleged lack thereof—for Aluko during the height of the crisis.
Aluko, who made 102 appearances for Chelsea and earned 102 caps for England, found herself at the centre of a firestorm after accusing Sampson of making racially charged comments. The PFA's handling of her case has long been questioned, with critics accusing the union of failing to adequately support one of its high-profile members.
A Landmark Case Revisited
The scandal initially erupted when Aluko claimed Sampson told her to ensure her Nigerian relatives didn't bring Ebola to a friendly match at Wembley. An initial FA inquiry cleared Sampson, but a subsequent independent investigation proved critical of the governing body's handling of the case.
Sampson was eventually dismissed from his role in September 2017 for 'inappropriate and unacceptable behaviour' in a previous position, though the FA maintained his dismissal wasn't related to Aluko's allegations.
Chelsea's decision to revisit this sensitive chapter underscores the club's ongoing commitment to tackling discrimination within football. The West London giants have positioned themselves at the forefront of equality initiatives in recent years, making this investigation a natural extension of their anti-racism stance.
Broader Implications for Football
This development signals a significant shift in how football clubs interact with governing bodies and unions on matters of discrimination. By directly challenging the PFA's historical conduct, Chelsea is setting a powerful precedent that could encourage other clubs to demand greater accountability from football's institutions.
The outcome of Chelsea's investigation could have far-reaching implications for how racial abuse cases are handled across English football, potentially forcing a wholesale review of protocols and support systems for players facing discrimination.
