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Post by Premier League News on Feb 20, 2015 15:17:50 GMT
 Chelsea have written to the French man who was the victim of racist abuse on the Paris Métro this week. The club have offered 33-year-old Souleymane S a place in the directors’ box for a match at Stamford Bridge, with Roman Abramovic said to be “disgusted” at the incident involving Blues supporters in midweek.José Mourinho said he was “ashamed” at the action of a small number of Chelsea fans, who chanted racist abuse before refusing to let Souleymane, who has chosen not to disclose his full surname, on the train at Richelieu-Drouot station following the club’s 1-1 draw with Paris Saint-Germain in the French capital. The Chelsea chairman, Bruce Buck, met with the Kick It Out chairman, Lord Ouseley, on Friday to reiterate the club’s commitment to the anti-racism group. Before Mourinho’s Burnley pre-match conference, Chelsea’s press officer read out a statement. He said: “I would like to make clear on behalf of everyone at the club our disgust with regards to the incident that took place on the Paris subway on Tuesday evening. We were appalled by what we saw. “The club would also like to apologise unreservedly to Souleymane for the behaviour of a small number of individuals and their unforgivable actions towards him. We have been cooperating fully with the Met police and Paris police in their ongoing investigation, and will continue to do so. “We have also been conducting our own investigation and all information from that is being shared with the police. We announced last night that we have suspended three individuals from Stamford Bridge pending the completion of the investigation. Should evidence show they are guilty the club will ban them for life. “Only right that we complete our investigation to establish all the facts but we have taken swift action based on information received so far. The people involved in that incident in Paris do not represent Chelsea Football Club. They do not stand for the values of this club, and they have no place at this club. “This has been echoed loud and clear by the vast majority of Chelsea supporters. We’d like to thank the many Chelsea fans that have come forward with information in this case. Chelsea Football club is proud of its diversity. “We work extremely hard in the game and in our communities promoting equality and fighting discrimination of all forms. We are proud to support the work of Kick it Out and Show Racism the Red Card among other organisations and the work of the Premier League and Football Association in this area.” Mourinho added: “These people don’t belong to us. I feel ashamed being connected with this sad episode that happened.” By James Riach, Guardian
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3in11
Monster Midfielder
No easy games in this league.
Posts: 1,773
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Post by 3in11 on Feb 20, 2015 16:02:21 GMT
Nice move by Chelsea. How such idiotic behaviour persists in public, I don't understand. I know people with the most bigoted views (sexist, racist, homophobic etc) but none of them give public expression to their opinions and most recognise that their views are unpalatable to others. However, give them the company of like-minded souls and a couple of beers and you might aswell be back in the 60's or 70's. The sad thing is that such views tend to be passed on down the generations, I'd bet money that the culprits parents are old NF supporters ( big at Stamford Bridge for far too long) with fond memories of 'putting the boot in'.
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Post by Avinalaff on Feb 20, 2015 16:51:22 GMT
Racism isn't nice. I've been aggressively racially abused myself in Manchester at a place I had to visit daily and go back to and I'd rate it very highly in the 'life's ugly moments' category. To deal with it on a daily basis would be unthinkable, and I hope the lads on that train that initiated it get what they deserve. The sad thing is that you can guarantee that some of the Chelsea fans on that train won't be racists at all, and victims of their own fear of intervening.
It's an uncomfortable subject to debate, so let's be careful where any discussion goes.
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