Football
ESPN staff 9y

New allegations of Chelsea fan racism on train probed by police

Police are investigating claims that a group of alleged Chelsea fans made racist chants aboard a train on Sunday evening following their team's Capital One Cup victory over Tottenham.

British Transport Police (BTP) said officers were called to meet the train as it entered Stoke station, and asked four men to leave the train on Sunday night. The force confirmed it followed "reports of racist and abusive behavior by a number of passengers, said to be football fans."

Having spoken to two witnesses, police say investigations are continuing and they are examining mobile phone footage.

The incident follows Chelsea suspending three fans as part of the club's investigation into an alleged racist incident on the Paris Metro in February. A black commuter was pushed back by what appeared to be a group of fans travelling to the Parc des Princes for the Champions League match against Paris Saint-Germain.

In a separate later incident, seven men sought in relation to an investigation into racist chanting at St Pancras station following the PSG game have all been identified, police confirmed last week.

In Sunday's latest incident, the Daily Mail quotes a witness as saying: "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."

A BTP spokesperson said of the allegations: "Shortly after 10.30 p.m. on Sunday, 1 March, 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."

A Chelsea spokesman told Press Association Sport: "We are aware of the reports but it is not clear at this time if this incident involves Chelsea supporters.

"If it did then we will assist the British Transport Police with their enquiries."

Chelsea banned five fans following their own investigation into the Paris Metro incident. Captain John Terry and chairman Bruce Buck both expressed their anger at the Paris incident, with Terry saying: "Football is a sport for everyone, that is one of the main reasons why we love it, and what happened on the Paris Metro was unacceptable."

The club last week warned told fans attending Sunday's Wembley final that they would take the strongest action against any fans involved anti-Semitic chanting against Spurs supporters.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

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