Chelsea Football Club said Wednesday it was prepared to ban self-proclaimed racist fans who were filmed preventing a black man from boarding a Paris subway train, saying their behaviour was "abhorrent".
Amateur footage obtained by The Guardian newspaper captured the incident in a Metro station shortly before Chelsea's Champions League march with Paris Saint-Germain in the French capital on Tuesday evening.
It shows a group of men chanting "Chelsea, Chelsea" standing in a packed train waiting at a platform.
The unidentified black man repeatedly tried to squeeze into the carriage and they aggressively pushed him back. The film then cuts to them chanting: "We're racist, we're racist, and that's the way we like it."
In a statement, Chelsea 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 involvement of Chelsea season-ticket holders or members the club will take the strongest possible action against them, including banning orders."
Former England striker Stan Collymore, who campaigns against racism, tweeted: "Chelsea fans. Save your spite for those on the train, I'm sure you'll want to see them banned from holding season tickets at your club."
The footage was filmed by Paul Nolan, a Briton living in Paris. He told The Guardian he was "completely appalled" by what he saw at Richelieu-Drouot station in central Paris.
Source: AFP