Chelsea officially condemns racist fans who repeatedly pushed off black man in Paris Metro

A Chelsea supporter pushing a black man off a train.

Chelsea football club have issued an official statement condemning the incident in Paris Metro, where a group of club supporters have been caught on video, singing racist songs and physically preventing a black man from boarding a train. The video was taken at the Richelieu – Drouot station before Chelsea’s Champions League tie against Paris Saint-Germain at Parc des Princes.

The footage shows the man trying to get into a crowded train repeatedly and being forcefully shoved out of the door onto the platform every time. The fans inside the train are also heard singing, “We’re racist, we’re racist and that’s the way we like it” while a black woman stood right in front of them.

The video was condemned immediately after it found itself posted on social media. UEFA may be prompted to take action if they decide that the incident, which took place far from the stadium, falls under their scope.

Chelsea officially said, “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.”

Watch the incident here

Bystanders looked on in disbelief says the man who filmed the video

Paul Nolan, the man who filmed the clip on his phone, told the media, “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 at the platform 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 overheard 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 bystanders on the platform looked on in disbelief. He said, “There definitely was a culture shock. I heard a couple of French guys saying: ‘I can’t believe this. It’s insane.’”

Isolated incidents will stereotype club

The French police reportedly used teargas outside the stadium to break up scuffles involving Chelsea fans before the game.

Chelsea fanzine editor David Johnstone said, “Because of the actions of possibly half a dozen people on a Metro train in Paris all the supporters are going to be labelled as racist.

“I think the majority of Chelsea supporters are disgusted by what’s happened. The 2,000 who were in Paris today support a Jewish-owned football team where the majority of players are black and foreign.”