A High Court judge has told Chelsea to "nail their colours to the mast" in their defence of historical racism claims.
Four former youth team players are taking the club to the High Court next March seeking damages and losses over alleged abuse by former coaches Gwyn Williams and Graham Rix in the 1990s.
The players say Chelsea is "vicariously liable" for the alleged assaults committed by Williams and Rix when the players were between 14 and 18 years of age and "breached a duty of care, for which Chelsea was responsible".
But after apologising for the "deeply shocking behaviour" following a 2019 Barnardo's investigation, Chelsea's insurers submitted a "non-admission" plea which means the claimants needed to prove their case, and are now denying the claims.