Allegedly racist Chelsea supporters have dropped the club into a media maelstrom after a cluster of fans’ offensive chants were filmed in Paris last night in an apparent racially-motivated offence.
The incident took place on the Paris Metro ahead of Chelsea’s 1-1 against Paris Saint-Germain, where a supposed group of supporters refused to allow a black man onto the train.
The gang, recorded by a fellow passenger on the Richelieu-Drouot platform, then proceeded to chant, in homage to Chelsea’s unfortunate, yet notorious, history of racism.
The video, obtained by the guardian, shows the man repeatedly trying to board the crowded train but being pushed off.
The group are heard singing: “We’re racist, we’re racist and that’s the way we like it.”
The south west London side have kick-started a number of initiatives in recent years to change its image in regards to equality.
During the eighties, the club received many negatives headlines about the fans’ treatment of Chelsea’s first ever black footballer – Paul Canoville.
Since 2010, Canoville has supported the Blues’ ‘Building Bridges’ initiative, and has spoken about the horrors he experienced during that time.
Canoville tweeted this morning: “Marnin peeps … I am ashamed I am hearing such behaviour was coming from such USELESS – IGNORANT – HUMAN BEINGS.”
Marnin peeps….I’m ashamed on hearing such behaviour was coming from such USELESS ~ IGNORANT ~ HUMAN BEINGS. http://t.co/KLBgyVNBjA
— Paul Canoville (@Kingcanners) February 18, 2015
The wider footballing communites is seemingly outraged by the incident, and BBC’s Dan Walker wrote on Twitter: “Do you think Drogba, Zouma, Ramires or Cuadrado would have been allowed on the train? #Brainless.”
Do you think Drogba, Zouma, Ramires, Willian or Cuadrado would have been allowed on the train? #Brainless http://t.co/qp08oBOGmk — Dan Walker (@mrdanwalker) February 18, 2015
Earlier this morning, Chelsea released an official statement about the alleged incident, and will support the authorities if any action is taken in response to the video.
“Such behaviour is abhorrent and has no place in football or society,” it read, “we will support any criminal action against those involved in such behaviour.”
“Should evidence point to the involvement of Chelsea season ticket holders or members, the club will take the strongest possible action against them including banning orders.”
The Met police have issued a statement to say they are aware of the footage and take such offences very seriously.
Met officers were deployed to help regulate the match in Paris at the request of the French police and say they will continue to assist local forces to help identify offenders.
Featured image via filmed footage of Paul Nolan via The Guardian, with thanks
