1. Skip to content
  2. Skip to main menu
  3. Skip to more DW sites

Police probe second alleged racist incident by Chelsea fans

February 21, 2015

More racist behavior from Chelsea supporters is being investigated by British police. It follows an incident in Paris when a black man was stopped from using the metro by fans of the London football club.

https://p.dw.com/p/1EfX3
Chelsea Fans gegen Rassismus
Image: Reuters/T.O'Brien

The British Transport Police said on Saturday that they are investigating another report of racism involving Chelsea fans.

Superintendent Gill Murray said an eye witness claimed several men travelling back from Paris had chanted racist slogans on their arrival at London's St. Pancras station.

"It's clear that unfortunately there is still a minority who think it is acceptable to behave in such an abhorrent manner," Murray said. "There is more that needs to be done to address the issue once and for all."

The incident happened on Wednesday evening, the day after Chelsea played Paris St. Germain.

Chelsea fans caught on camera

On Tuesday, supporters of Premier League leaders Chelsea were filmed preventing a black man, identified only as Souleymane S., from boarding a Paris Metro train while chanting racist comments ahead of the 1-1 draw at PSG.

Alltagsrassismus und britischen Fußballfans - Chelsea EINSCHRÄNKUNG
Still from video of Chelsea fans preventing a black man from boarding Paris Metro trainImage: Guardian

Chelsea football club has since barred five fans from attending their Stamford Bridge ground.

"The club would also like to apologise unreservedly to Souleymane for the behaviour of a small number of individuals and their unforgivable actions towards him," Chelsea said in a statement.

The victim rejected Chelsea's invite to London to watch Jose Mourinho's team play the return leg against PSG next month.

"I appreciate Mr. Mourinho's invitation, but I can't get my head around being in a stadium at the moment," he said.

Souleymane S. was also contacted by French President Francois Hollande. The presidential palace Twitter account said that Hollande "gave him his full support following the odious racist aggression he suffered":

Match day support for diversity

The London club used Saturday's Premier League game to celebrate diversity in football.

Stickers bearing the slogan "Support Chelsea Support Equality" were handed out at Stamford Bridge in a stand against discrimination in the sport.

Chelsea had already designated Saturday's fixture against Burnley as its annual "Game for Equality".

The football club also released a video on its website with Mourinho and Chelsea players conveying a strong anti-discrimination message that "sport has the power to change the world."

lw/bk (AP, AFP, Reuters)