Chelsea have welcomed the Football Association's (FA) decision to class the 'rent boy' chant often directed at their supporters as a breach of the governing body's regulations.

The chant has been heard at Chelsea fixtures down the years, sung by opposition fans, but has been strongly condemned for its homophobic nature.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has classed the chant as a hate crime, and the FA has stipulated that the singing of the chant could now result in disciplinary action for clubs.

In a statement released on Friday, Chelsea said: "The 'rent boy' chant is intolerable and has no place in football or anywhere else.

"That opposition clubs can now face disciplinary action if their supporters engage in this discriminatory and offensive behaviour is a step in the right direction.

"Everyone who chooses to participate in this chant must know their actions have consequences.

"Alongside our No To Hate campaign, we will continue to work with the FA, the CPS, opposition clubs, and our own LGBTQI+ supporter group Chelsea Pride in the pursuit of positive change.

"There is plenty more work to be done, but we won't rest until football is a game where everyone feels welcome."