Lampard condemns Chelsea fans’ offensive ‘pikeys’ song after being serenaded during Reading win
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FRANK LAMPARD has condemned an offensive chant in which Chelsea fans sing about him scoring against ‘the pikeys’.
The song is aimed at Lampard’s former club West Ham and is an established terrace anthem which takes a dig at their bitter London rivals.
‘Pikey’ is a slang term used in a derogatory way aimed at the gypsy or traveller community.
Chelsea boss Lampard says he did not hear the song when it was sung during his team’s exciting win over Championship rivals but has called on the supporters to cut it out.
He said: “I didn’t hear the song in question and if there’s a song that has offensive words I don’t want to hear that.
“That’s me saying that as a big Chelsea man who really appreciates the support and had it over the years. The support today was incredible.
I didn’t hear the song in question and if there’s a song that has offensive words I don’t want to hear that
Frank Lampard
“We don’t want songs with offensive words.
“The club is clear with the work we do off the pitch about anything that’s offensive or prejudiced and we’ve made a big mark on that.”
Chelsea fans have a chequered history when it comes to discriminatory songs.
Striker Alvaro Morata called for an end to a song which linked his former club Real Madrid to a hatred for ‘yids’ in an offensive song aimed at Tottenham’s Jewish fans.
MAS-SIVE PERFORMANCE
Lampard applauded the 2,000 Chelsea supporters who watched blossoming midfielder Mason Mount score twice in two minutes during a seven-goal thriller.
Mount, 20, was brought on to replace Tiemoue Bakayoko in the second half and could not have underlined their contrasting futures at the club more starkly.
Bakayoko and fellow forgotten midfielder Danny Drinkwater started the first game on English soil of Lampard’s reign with the pair under enormous pressure to prove their worth.
Both are Premier League winners but while Drinkwater showed steel at the heart of the team and dynamism, Bakayoko looked uncomfortable throughout his 45 minute cameo performance.
The France international’s passing was way off the required levels and he missed a golden chance to score from inside the box with a clear sight on goal.
Mount, back from playing under Lampard on loan at Derby last season, was bursting with energy and snatched a poacher’s goal from a loose ball in the 57th minute.
And he cashed in on a Reading defensive error to score his second as he continues to mature at an impressive rate.
Lampard said: “I wouldn’t say I’ve made decisions because that’s a line and I don’t want to draw it yet because in terms of selection for those early games.
“I’ll make them in due course. They’re not absolutely clear.”
CALL ON ME
Lampard is in no doubt he wants Callum Hudson-Odoi to stay and is hopeful the youngster will sign a new contract worth around £100,000 a week soon.
He said: “Talks moved on very well in the last week or two but it’s not done yet.”
Reading took the lead through Josh Barrett before Ross Barkley equalised.
Kenedy made it 2-1 only for Reading to level through Mark Morrison.
Mount’s double sealed the win which made Sam Baldock’s late but classy strike a consolation.
Lampard takes Chelsea to face Red Bull Salzburg on Wednesday and then to Germany on Saturday to play Borussia Monchengladbach.
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They kick off the Premier League season at Manchester United in less than two weeks.
But Lampard is confident midfield engine N’Golo Kante will be fit for that match after suffering a knee injury.
Lampard said: “I am hopeful he will be ready. The signs are good.”