‘Abhorrent’ Chelsea fans prevent black man boarding a train

A group of Chelsea thugs prevented a black man getting on to a train in Paris before chanting: “We’re racist and that’s the way we like it.”

Footage posted online shows the football fans shouting and gesturing at the man before pushing him out of the carriage when he steps in.

The supporters are thought to have been travelling to the Parc des Princes ground for Chelsea’s Champions League match against Paris St Germain last night, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

They also chanted at bemused onlookers: “Where were you in World War Two?”

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.”

Paul Nolan, a British expat who filmed the incident on his phone, said the train had been stopped for around three minutes when the man arrived on the platform and tried to get on.

Mr Nolan told the Guardian: “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 overhead 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 fanzine editor David Johnstone believes the incident could have severe consequences for the club’s reputation.

“Because of the actions of possibly half a dozen people on a Metro train in Paris, all the supporters are going to be labelled as racist,” he told BBC Radio Five Live.

“I think the majority of Chelsea supporters are disgusted by what’s happened. The 2,000 who were in Paris today support a Jewish-owned football team where the majority of players are black and foreign.”

Some individuals have been implicated on social media since the video was posted.

Chelsea are working with the relevant authorities to identify if those involved have season tickets or any other connection to the club.

The Metropolitan Police, which monitors supporters during European matches, is aware of the incident, and working with the French authorities.

UEFA, European football's governing body and in charge of Tuesday night's Champions League tie, is aware of the incident.

Kick It Out chairman Herman Ouseley is uncertain if UEFA 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, whilst 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."

Scotland Yard later said it would “examine” footage which shows Chelsea fans preventing a black man boarding a Paris Metro train “with a view to seeing if we can apply for football banning orders”.