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Chelsea: complaint over Benayoun abuse

July 28, 2011 09:35
Yossi Benayoun

By

Jennifer Lipman,

Jennifer Lipman

1 min read

Chelsea football club have made an official complaint following what they described as antisemitic abuse directed at Israeli player Yossi Benayoun at a match in Kuala Lumpur.

The Israeli became the first footballer from the Jewish state to play in a match in Malaysia in many years, when he helped Chelsea beat Malaysian XI last week.

But despite being allowed to play – Israelis Tal Ben Haim and Avram Grant were denied visas to enter the Muslim majority country for matches in recent years – Benayoun's presence did not go smoothly.

Instead, many in the 85,000-strong crowd jeered and booed him when he came in contact with the ball and he was substituted at half-time.