Fresh Chelsea racism claims: Stamford Bridge puts on united front but reports of racist chanting at St Pancras surface
Stamford Bridge comes together to fight for equality as victim says he won’t take up invitation
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The day may have ended in fury because of events on the pitch here, but Chelsea put on a united front all around it on what was ironically billed a “game for equality”, following the incident on the Paris Métro on Tuesday, in which a black man was blocked from getting on a train by some of the club’s supporters.
Chelsea put forward a strong anti-racism message, in a move that also received the backing of campaign group Kick It Out.
But it came a day when British Transport Police reported that men believed to be Chelsea fans returning from Paris had been heard singing racist songs as they passed through St Pancras train station in London on Wednesday. The BTP appealed for information and the Metropolitan Police also issue photographs taken from CCTV footage of three fans in connection with the incident in Paris on Tuesday.
Chelsea’s captain, John Terry, who was banned and fined by the Football Association in 2012 for using racist language towards former Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand - but acquitted in court – used his programme notes to describe the incident as “unacceptable”.
In a column titled “Football is for everyone and that is why we love it”, Terry said: “This is our annual Game for Equality, when we show that this club stands against all forms of discrimination.
“Football is a sport for everyone and that is one of the main reasons why we love it, and what happened on the Paris Metro on Tuesday was unacceptable. The club has reacted quality to deal with the situation and will continue to do so.”
Many supporters also brought anti-racism banners. But the victim of the incident, a French national known only as Souleymane S, said that he would probably turn down Chelsea’s offer to attend the second leg of their last 16 Champions League tie with PSG at Stamford Bridge next month as a guest of the club.
Souleymane told the French newspaper Le Parisien: “I appreciate Mr Mourinho’s invitation but I can’t get my head around being in a stadium at the moment.”
M Souleymane also revealed that he had received a phone call from French president, François Hollande. The French presidential palace stated that Hollande “had a discussion with Souleymane S and gave him his full support following the odious aggression he suffered”.
Five fans have already been suspended for home games over the incident in Paris – with the club also threatening life bans.
The Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho used the match programme to urge supporters to be on their best behaviour for the rest of the campaign. “We have seven league matches remaining at Stamford Bridge as well as a trip to Wembley next week and away games to come at QPR, Arsenal and West Ham – 11 London matches,” he said.
“Let’s get together and show what Chelsea Football Club is – the values we defend and the behaviour we don’t accept and don’t want connected with our club.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments