adminLONDON. — Five men will appear in court over the racist abuse of a black man prior to a Champions League soccer game in Paris last month, British police announced on Wednesday. Chelsea fans were filmed preventing the man from boarding a Metro train and singing racist songs before their Champions League last 16 first-leg match against Paris Saint-Germain.
The victim, known as Souleymane S., said the incident had “destroyed” him and made him afraid to take public transport.
He said his children had also been affected. I am obliged to tell them that there are people who aren’t very nice, and that there are people who don’t like black skin,” he said. The incident in Paris, captured on the mobile phone of a British expatriate, sparked widespread condemnation and prompted Chelsea to ban five supporters from Stamford Bridge.
Scotland Yard said the five men will go before Waltham Forest Magistrates’ Court in northeast London on March 25 “regarding a police application for football banning orders”.
Chelsea invited Souleymane S. to attend Wednesday’s game against PSG, but he turned down the invitation. — AFP.
Peter Tanyanyiwa
Online Reporter