Chelsea racism video: Met working with police in Paris after shocking footage shows fans shoving black man off Metro

Chelsea Football Club: we are prepared to ban fans seen on film
The black man, seen to the left of the frame, is barred from boarding the train by a mob of Chelsea fans

Chelsea today vowed to ban any fans who took part in a shocking racist incident in Paris where a black man was pushed off a train.

A video emerged last night of a group of supporters chanting “We’re racist and that’s the way we like it”, while twice preventing a black passenger boarding a Metro train in the French capital last night.

The Metropolitan Police has said it takes such incidents "very seriously, no matter where they occur", and pledged to investigate whether football banning orders would be appropriate.

And French police said those responsible could face three years in prison and a €45,000 if convicted.

The fans were travelling to the Parc des Princes stadium for Chelsea’s Champions League match against Paris St Germain which ended in a 1-1 draw. They also chanted at bemused commuters: “Where were you in World War Two?”

Footage shows a group of fans chanting on the Paris metro before Chelsea's Champions League clash with PSG

There was widespread condemnation of the fans after the incident was filmed by British expat Paul Nolan.

Mr Nolan, who was on the platform at Richelieu-Drouot, said the train had been stopped for about three minutes when the man, believed to be a commuter returning home from work, tried to get on.

Mr Nolan said: “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 St-Germain supporter who was on the platform.”

Chelsea promised to take swift action, with banning orders against those involved. A club spokesman 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 the involvement of Chelsea season ticket holders or members, the club will take the strongest possible action against them, including banning orders.”

Earlier there were reports that Chelsea fans had chanted anti-Semitic songs, made gas chamber hissing sounds and shouted the word “yid”.

Riot police using tear gas and truncheons were involved in skirmishes with drunk fans before the match.

Three former England stars also condemned the behaviour on Twitter.

Gary Lineker called it “sickening, embarrassing, moronic, disgraceful”. Ian Wright tweeted: “Chelsea what you gonna do? Your club as been linked to racism for so long! What have you done? Put a couple of signs up in your ground?”

Stan Collymore tweeted to Chelsea fans. “I’m sure you’ll want to see them banned from holding season tickets.”

Chelsea fanzine editor David Johnstone said the majority of supporters were “disgusted by what happened”.

In a statement, Scotland Yard said it was aware of the footage and would be working with Chelsea and the French authorities to identify the fans in the video.

The force said: "We are aware of footage currently on the internet allegedly involving Chelsea fans in Paris.

"The Metropolitan Police Service takes offences such as this very seriously, no matter where they occur.

"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."

Anyone with information about the identity of those involved is asked to contact police on 101.

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