Chelsea fans were caught on video signing a racist song and preventing a black man from boarding a Paris metro. The club has condemned such behaviour and said it will take strongest possible action if found guilty.
According to reports from The Guardian, a man trying to squeeze on to a busy train was forcefully shoved out of the door at the Richelieu – Drouot station before Chelsea’s Champions League tie against Paris Saint-Germain at Parc des Princes.
Chelsea fans were heard chanting a song including lines: “We’re racist, we’re racist and that’s the way we like it”
This could lead to a disciplinary action from UEFA and Chelsea in that case may face a fine and warning.
As a life long Chelsea fan, I’m disgusted by the actions of a few people after the PSG game. There’s no place for racism in football.
— Daniel O’Brien ⚽ (@dannyobrien_96) February 18, 2015
Statement from Chelsea read: “Such behaviour is abhorrent and has no place in football or society. We will support any criminal action against those involved, and should evidence point to involvement of Chelsea season-ticket holders or members the club will take the strongest possible action against them, including banning orders.”
Extract from The Guardian:
Paul Nolan, a British expatriate who filmed the clip on his phone, told the Guardian that he had arrived on the platform on Tuesday evening after finishing work.
“The doors were open and I could see and hear that a lot of chanting was going on,” he said. “It looked like it was quite aggressive so I just took out by phone to record it.”
He said that the train had been stopped for about three minutes when the man arrived on the platform and tried to get on.
“He was obviously completely shocked when they pushed him off. I don’t think he realised who they were. He then tried to get on again and got pushed off a second time.
“I was just completely appalled by it and so that’s why I tried to catch some of it on my phone, although I was a bit self-conscious as it was getting quite aggressive and I overhead one of the Chelsea fans say something about stabbing someone. I think he was referring to a Paris Saint-Germain supporter who was on the platform.”
Nolan added that others on the platform looked on in disbelief: “There definitely was a culture shock. I heard a couple of French guys saying: ‘I can’t believe this. It’s insane.’”
French police reportedly used teargas outside the match venue amid scuffles involving Chelsea fans before the game.
It is really sad that when clubs all over the world are trying to eradicate racism out of football, events like these kills the faith in humanity.
No way such incidents can be tolerated. And excuses like X club got away with that, Y clubs didn’t face punishments – are all but inconsequential. UEFA should take strong steps here if sufficient evidence is found, and Chelsea must also find the culprits and ban them from entering the stadium for life.
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