A video appearing to show Chelsea FC supporters singing a racist song as they prevent a black man from boarding a Paris Metro has been strongly condemned by the club.
The amateur footage shows the man trying to squeeze onto a packed train but he repeatedly gets shoved out with increasing force onto the platform at Richelieu-Drouot station before the Champions League 1-1 draw against Paris St Germain on Tuesday night (February 17).
A group of people with clear English accents are then heard singing: “We’re racist, we’re racist and that’s the way we like it.”
The footage was obtained by the Guardian from British expatriate Paul Nolan, who filmed the incident on his phone on his way home from work and told the newspaper he was “appalled”.
Chelsea FC, based at Stamford Bridge in Fulham, has said it will help French police in its investigation and, if they are Chelsea fans, actions will be taken against them by the club.
A spokesman 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.”
Mr Nolan told the Guardian he could hear a lot of chanting when he arrived on the platform and as it looked “quite aggressive” he took out his phone to record it.
“He was obviously completely shocked when they pushed him off,” he said. “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.”
The video shows other commuters looking on in disbelief and Mr Nolan added: “There definitely was a culture shock. I heard a couple of French guys saying: ‘I can’t believe this. It’s insane.'"
Thousands of Chelsea fans were in Paris for the match and police reportedly had to use teargas outside the stadium due to scuffles involving Chelsea fans before the game.
