Mourinho ashamed of Metro racism incident
Jose Mourinho has revealed the shame felt by Chelsea after fans racially abused a black man on the Paris Metro and appealed to the victim to accept an invitation from the club to come to Stamford Bridge.
A commuter, identified in media reports as French-Mauritian Souleymane S, was blocked from boarding a train by fans travelling to the Parc des Princes for the Champions League match against Paris St Germain, which finished 1-1.
Footage captured by a bystander appears to show Souleymane being pushed back on to the platform amid chants of ”we’re racist, we’re racist and that’s the way we like it”.
The club had already suspended three men while their investigations continued and on Friday evening announced that two more people would be barred.
The club’s investigation is being undertaken in conjunction with the Metropolitan and Paris police.
Chelsea insist they have apologised in writing to Souleymane and invited him and his family to London to attend the second leg of the European clash against PSG on March 11, while a spokesman stated that owner Roman Abramovich was ”disgusted” by the incident.
In an interview given to BBC Radio 5 Live on Friday afternoon, Souleymane argued Chelsea held a degree of liability for the conduct of their fans and he had yet to receive any contact from Stamford Bridge.
”Chelsea are partly responsible and I have brought a complaint. They have partial responsibility because it’s their supporters,” Souleymane said. ”Chelsea need to call my lawyers and they haven’t done that yet, unlike PSG.“
Mourinho, speaking about the incident for the first time, has revealed his own anguish but stressed that the men involved should not be viewed as genuine fans of the club.
”We feel ashamed but maybe we shouldn’t because we – I – refuse to be connected with these people,” Mourinho said.
”I’m connected with Chelsea and the many good things this club defends and represents. I left Chelsea in 2007 and I couldn’t wait to come back.
”I felt ashamed when I knew what happened, but I repeat I’m a proud Chelsea manager because I know what this club is.
”I feel ashamed to have been connected with this sad episode that happened and I have no more words.”
Mourinho, who confirmed that his views were shared in the dressing room, said he hoped Souleymane would accept an invitation to sit in the Stamford Bridge directors’ box and witness the club’s regret over his treatment.
”Even if Souleymane doesn’t like football, if you put him in the directors’ box people will know he’s there and will give him a reaction that will make him forget or realise that Chelsea is completely the opposite to what happened to him on the underground,” Mourinho said.
”I look forward to him coming because I’m sure he will get a fantastic reaction from our fans who will express how sad they are about this. I know the club are being very, very strong on this and that is the right way.”
