18 Feb 2015

‘We’re racist’: Chelsea fans block black man from train

A group of Chelsea fans are filmed stopping a black man from boarding a train in Paris, and chanting “We’re racist and that’s the way we like it”.

The footage, posted online by a commuter who filmed the incident, shows the group of fans repeatedly pushing the commuter away from the train.

We’re racist, we’re racist, and that’s the way we like it, we like it. Chelsea fans caught on camera

Chelsea Football Club condemned the actions, saying: “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.”

‘Aggressive’

The incident took place before Chelsea’s Champion’s League match against Paris St Germain on Tuesday evening on Paris’s Metro system.

The fans can be heard chanting, including asking other commuters “where were you in World War Two?”.

After pushing the man away from they train they chanted: “We’re racist, we’re racist, and that’s the way we like it, we like it”.

‘Gutted’

One Chelsea fan travelling back from Paris told Channel 4 News: “I’m totally gutted with these so-called alleged fans of ours.

“We have got so many black players over at Chelsea. The most important black player that’s ever played for Chelsea has won us so many trophies, and they [the people in the video] are calling themselves Chelsea fans? Well I hope I don’t see them over at Chelsea, because personally I will be speaking to them over what they’ve done.”

Another Chelsea fan at the game on Tuesday night told Channel 4 News he wanted to see action from the police.

“Banning Chelsea won’t fix it, using the law will fix it. That’s what any sane human being would want.

“It’s illegal what they did, it’s no more complicated than that.”

Paul Nolan, who filmed the incident, told the Guardian he was “completely appalled” by the incident.

“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 St Germain supporter who was on the platform.”