A group of Chelsea fans dragged their club back into the stone age Tuesday in a shameful incident on the Paris subway.
The fans were filmed preventing a black man from boarding a subway car at the Richelieu — Drouot station in the French Capital, the Guardian reports. The Chelsea fans were on their way to the Parc des Princes to watch Chelsea play Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League when they repeatedly pushed a man off the train and celebrated with a racially charged chant.
Racist Chelsea Fans Refuse To Let Black... by dmotion991
Chelsea condemned the bigots’ behavior and vowed to help police identify and punish the offending fans.
“Such behavior is abhorrent and has no place in football or society,” Chelsea said in a statement. “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.”
Fans and pundits alike from around the world also condemned the incident as did U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron.
Paul Nolan, a British expatriate, filmed the incident and described the scene as appalling.
“The doors were open and I could see and hear that a lot of chanting was going on,” Nolan said. “It looked like it was quite aggressive so I just took out by phone to record it.”
“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.”
Chelsea-PSG ended in a 1-1 draw. The teams will play the return leg in their round of 16 series on March 11 in London.
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Thumbnail photo via Twitter/@FootyLand
