Chelsea have condemned a section of their supporters who chanted a racist song and pushed a black man off a Paris train prior to the Champions League match with PSG.
Footage emerged online of the man attempting to make his way onto the train only to be initially blocked, before being forcefully pushed back onto the platform by the Chelsea supporters at the Richelieu – Drouot station ahead of the last-16 tie with the Ligue 1 club.
The fans can then be heard singing a song that appeared to celebrate the disgraceful behaviour, with lines including “We’re racist, we’re racist and that’s the way we like it” whilst a black woman stands in close proximity.
The video was posted online shortly after the horrifying event and was picked up by the Guardian, who instantly published it on their website, leading to widespread condemnation of the footage. UEFA could now decide to punish the current Premier League leaders for their fans’ behaviour.
The west London outfit, who could face a heavy fine, were quick to condemn those involved.
A statement released by the club 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.”
Paul Nolan, a British expatriate who filmed the clip on his phone, told the Guardian that he had recorded the footage after arriving on the platform on Tuesday evening after finishing work.
“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 my phone to record it.”
Nolan revealed that the man targeted by the Chelsea fans had arrived at the platform a number of minutes after the train had stopped and tried to embark the busy carriage.
“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 shocked travellers on the platform looked on in disbelief: “There definitely was a culture shock. I heard a couple of French guys saying: ‘I can’t believe this. It’s insane.’”
French police reportedly used teargas outside the Parc des Princes stadium amid scuffles involving Chelsea fans before the game.