British Transport Police are investigating another incidence of racism on the rails by fans of the Chelsea soccer team in England. The incident comes weeks after Chelsea supporters were seen on video preventing a black man from entering a train on the Paris Metro as they traveled to a Champions League match.
According to reports from England, four soccer fans, reportedly Chelsea supporters, were ordered off a London-to-Manchester train by transport police on Sunday night after other riders complained of racist behavior. Chelsea had defeated Tottenham Hotspur, 2-0, in the Football League Cup final at Wembley Stadium earlier in the evening.
A British Transport Police spokesman spoke with the Press Association, via the Guardian:
A British Transport Police spokesman said: “Shortly after 10.30pm on Sunday, March 1, officers were called to meet a Euston-to-Manchester Piccadilly train at Stoke, following reports of racist and abusive behaviour by a number of passengers, said to be football fans.
“Colleagues from Staffordshire Police also attended. Officers asked four men to leave the train at Stoke. We have spoken to two witnesses, and investigations continue.
“Rail passengers and staff have the right to travel and work in peace. Abusive behaviour on trains and at stations is unacceptable, and we will not hesitate to investigate any such incidents.”
One witness told Sportsmail: ‘It was horrendous. They were Chelsea fans and they were being nasty and offensive. One passenger, a black man, moved carriages because he was disgusted with them.
‘One girl was crying. The police got on and marched them off the train.’
Another witness said the fans were asking two young Asian girls where their burkas were and singing songs about Spurs and Auschwitz.
Chelsea suspended a number of supporters after the Paris incident, during which fans chanted “we’re racist, we’re racist and that’s the way we like it” while preventing a black man from entering the train. The club has said it will permanently ban any fans who are found to be racist from the team’s stadium.
After spending the first 17 years of his Post career writing and editing, Matt and the printed paper had an amicable divorce in 2014. He's now blogging and editing for the Early Lead and the Post's other Web-based products.
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