Chelsea fans keep black man off of train while chanting 'We're racist, and that's the way we like it'

Before their Tuesday night Champions League 1-1 draw against PSG, Chelsea fans kept a black man off of the train at the Richelieu-Drouot tube station while chanting “We’re racist, we’re racist, and that’s the way we like it.” Paul Nolan, who is neither a fan of Chelsea nor PSG and was just on his way home from work, took out his phone and filmed the incident.

Nolan told The Guardian that these fans also threatened to stab PSG fans who were trying to board the train, and threw small coins at others on the train platform. “I have worked as a journalist and was pretty appalled by what I saw,” Nolan said.

Police in Paris have launched a criminal inquiry about the incident and, if identified, the offenders each face a fine of €45,000 ($51,000) and up to three years in prison, as such acts of hooliganism are illegal in France. According to Reuters The Metropolitan Police in London have also asked anyone with information on the incident to come forward, stressing that they “take offenses of this nature seriously no matter where they occur.”

Since Nolan sent the video into The Guardian, it’s spread around the Internet like wildfire, being widely met with disgust and outrage. The club itself condemned the act of its supporters in a statement on their website.

“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.”

FIFA president Sepp Blatter also condemned the actions of those Chelsea supporters in a tweet on Wednesday. "I also condemn the actions of a small group of Chelsea fans in Paris. There is no place for racism in football!".

The Champions League’s governing body UEFA joined in expressing distaste with the incident, but doesn’t plan to take any action.

“We are appalled by the incident,” UEFA said in a statement. “However, as it occurred away from the stadium, it is outside UEFA’s remit to act.”