Chelsea
have announced they have suspended three people from Stamford Bridge as a
result of investigations into an incident on the Paris Metro on Tuesday.
A local man was prevented from boarding the train by so-called fans chanting
" We’re racist, and that’s the way we like it" ahead of the English club's
Champions League last-16 first leg against Paris Saint-Germain.
Swift action from Chelsea has prevented the trio from attending Saturday's
Premier League match with Burnley in south-west London, which has been
designated a 'Game for Equality'. The supporters face life bans if they are
found guilty.
A club statement said: "If it is deemed there is sufficient evidence of
their involvement in the incident, the club will issue banning orders for
life.
"We have received substantial information to date following our witness
appeal and we are grateful to the many Chelsea supporters who have provided
information so far.
"Our investigations are on-going and we would request any further
information is sent to customer.services@chelseafc.com.
"We also continue to cooperate fully with the Metropolitan and Paris police
forces who lead the ongoing criminal investigation."
Paris prosecutors confirmed that the alleged victim, identified in media
reports as Souleymane S, had made a formal complaint.
The French authorities were working with their British counterparts and
anyone convicted could face a prison term of up to three years and a fine of
up to 45,000 euro (£33,000).
In an interview with Le Parisien on Thursday, the man named by the newspaper
as French-Mauritian Souleymane S called for those involved to be jailed.
He says he could not bear to tell his wife or children about what occurred
on Tuesday afternoon at the Richelieu-Drouot Metro station.
"These people, these English supporters, have to be found, punished and
should be locked up. What happened shouldn't go unpunished," he told the
French newspaper.
Chelsea released a statement describing the incident as "abhorrent" and
vowed to take the "strongest possible" action if supporters are found to be
involved.
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