French and British police yesterday launched a hunt for self-proclaimed "racist" Chelsea football fans who pushed a black man off a Paris metro train
A video grab taken from footage obtained from Guardian News & Media Ltd shows Chelsea football fans packed onto a Paris Metro train pushing a passenger to prevent him from boarding the carriage at a station in Paris on Tuesday
Paris: French and British police yesterday launched a hunt for self-proclaimed "racist" Chelsea football fans who pushed a black man off a Paris metro train.
A video grab taken from footage obtained from Guardian News & Media Ltd shows Chelsea football fans packed onto a Paris Metro train pushing a passenger to prevent him from boarding the carriage at a station in Paris on Tuesday. PIC/AFP
A new storm of controversy over racial abuse in the sport erupted after amateur video emerged showing fans chanting: "We're racist, we're racist, and that's the way we like it!" English Premier League leaders Chelsea called the affair "abhorrent".
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Politicians livid
French politicians called for "sanctions" after the incident in the centre of the French capital before Chelsea's Champions League game against Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday night. The British supporters repeatedly pushed back the man each time he tried to get on the packed carriage, according to film obtained by The Guardian newspaper. A black woman is later seen leaving the carriage as insults are shouted inside.
French prosecutors said they have opened an investigation into "deliberate racial violence on public transport.". "We will work with British police. These people must be known," a French police source told AFP. London police confirmed that they would assist the French investigation.
"We will examine the footage with a view to seeing if we can apply for football banning orders, preventing people from travelling from future matches," said a New Scotland Yard statement.
Disturbing, says British PM
Meanwhile, British Prime Minister David Cameron said the incident was "extremely disturbing and very worrying." The images shocked the football establishment.
Sepp Blatter, president of world governing body FIFA, wrote on Twitter: "I also condemn the actions of a small group of Chelsea fans in Paris. There is no place for racism in football!"
England's Football Association said: "The FA, like the club, completely condemn such disgraceful behaviour, which is a criminal offence, and those responsible should face the strongest possible punishment."
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