Jose Mourinho ashamed of Metro incident

Premier League

Jose Mourinho admits Chelsea feel “ashamed” over the racial abuse of a black man by supporters on the Paris Metro on Tuesday night, but has sought to distance the club from the incident.

Jose Mourinho admits Chelsea feel “ashamed” over the racial abuse of a black man by supporters on the Paris Metro on Tuesday night, but has sought to distance the club from the incident.

A commuter identified as French-Mauritian Souleymane S, was blocked from boarding a train by what appeared to be a group of Chelsea fans travelling to the Parc des Princes for the Champions League match against Paris St Germain.

Three men could face life bans from football after being suspended from Stamford Bridge as part of the ongoing investigation that is being undertaken in conjunction with the Metropolitan and Paris police.

Chelsea have apologised in writing to Souleymane and invited him and his family to attend the second leg of the European clash against PSG on March 11, while a spokesman stated that owner Roman Abramovich is “disgusted”.

Mourinho yesterday revealed his own anguish but stresses that the men involved should not be viewed as genuine fans of the club.

“We feel ashamed but maybe we shouldn’t because we – I – refuse to be connected with these people,” Mourinho said.

“I’m connected with Chelsea and the many good things this club defends and represents. I left Chelsea in 2007 and I couldn’t wait to come back.

“I felt ashamed when I knew what happened, but I repeat I’m a proud Chelsea manager because I know what this club is.

Mourinho confirmed that his views are shared in Chelsea’s dressing room: “The reaction of the players is the same we all have,” said Mourinho.

“I have a squad at Chelsea where 12 or 14 players have African nationality or an African connection.

“Our dressing room has always had big principles of equality over everything — race, religion, everything.

“So the dressing room reacted in the same way I did, with disappointment and obviously condemning the situation and supporting the gentleman involved.

“Since minute one we have done absolutely everything because we have zero tolerance to this. We have to keep feeling our club is a great club and has no space for people like this.”

A club spokesman opened proceedings with a statement in which he said Chelsea were “appalled by what we saw”, branding the incident as “unforgivable.

When Mourinho was asked how offensive it is that the supporters used the name of club captain John Terry to justify their actions, the spokesman intervened by saying: “We’re not interested in any excuses or stories to try and cover these actions”.

Mourinho, meanwhile, hopes Souleymane will accept an invitation to sit in the Stamford Bridge directors’ box and witness the club’s regret over his treatment.

Chelsea say they have invited Souleymane to watch the second leg of the European tie against PSG on March 11 and Mourinho says that is when he will see the true face of the club.

“Even if Souleymane doesn’t like football, if you put him in the directors’ box people will know he’s there and will give him a reaction that will make him forget or realise that Chelsea is completely the opposite to what happened to him on the underground,” Mourinho said.

“I look forward to him coming because I’m sure he will get a fantastic reaction from our fans.”