Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Chelsea prepared to ban fans who prevented a black man boarding a train

Chelsea have said the club is prepared to ban fans who prevented a black man boarding a train in Paris before chanting "we're racist and that's the way we like it".
Image result for Chelsea: We'll ban racist fans
Amateur footage posted online shows the commuter trying to board a metro train in the French capital but a group of football fans are shown shouting at and gesturing to him before pushing him out of the carriage when he steps in.
On a second attempt he points to a space where he could stand but is pushed away again as he steps forward, before the group of males erupt into a chant while other commuters look on.
The supporters are thought to have been travelling to the Parc des Princes ground for the Champions League match against Paris St Germain last night which ended in a draw.
Chelsea released a statement condemning the incident and said it will take action if members are found to be involved.
"Such behaviour is abhorrent and has no place in football or society," the club said.
"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."
Kick It Out chairman Lord Ouseley condemned the incident and called for Chelsea, and football, to avoid complacency over incidents of a similar nature.
Lord Ouseley said: "We know that prejudice is on the increase and that in itself leads to hateful attitudes and this sort of conduct.
"I was shocked that Chelsea fans were still behaving like this. I thought the club had made it quite clear and taken action about stopping any repetition, knowing Chelsea, how hard they've worked on these matters, with fans as well as players that it was unlikely to occur.
"The fact it involved an assault as well, of the individual that they pushed off the train, was even more shocking.
"Clearly it sends out a strong signal to, not only Chelsea, but the whole of  football, that you cannot be complacent and think the actions you're taking are sufficient to deal with the scourge of racism, sexism, homophobia and anti-Semitism. We've got to do a lot more and not be complacent."
Kick It Out hopes anyone implicated is banned from football, not just from Chelsea matches.
"We'll support any prosecution," Lord Ouseley added.
"Anyone who can be identified, if they have an association with the club, the  club said it will take the strongest action, which would include banning thosepeople from going to Chelsea football matches.
"I would hope it would extend to banning them from going to any football match.
"Chelsea need to make it quite clear, once again, that people who carry their prejudices around, please don't come to football.
"We need to see that reinforced by all clubs, because it's happening right across the country, not just one team.
"These attitudes are attitudes that are in our society and football can play a major part in helping to draw attention to ways in which we need to help people to change their attitudes."
Lord Ouseley is uncertain if UEFA, European football's governing body which was in charge of Tuesday night's Champions League tie, can take action.
He added: "I think UEFA will inevitably look at it. It happened outside of the game, on a public transport system.
"Football, while it has to deal with those fans in a proper way - and the club is saying that it will - realistically you cannot simply look at it in a  footballing context and make UEFA responsible for people who are travelling.
"The responsibility goes to the club and their travelling supporters."

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