By RYAN TOLMICH
Chelsea has promised swift action against any fans that were a part of racist behavior following the team’s 1-1 draw with Paris Saint-Germain.
Footage shows a group of Chelsea fans preventing a black man from boarding a commuter train following the matchup in Paris, prompting chants of “we’re racist and that’s the way we like it”.
“Such behavior is abhorrent and has no place in football or society,” the club said in a statement. “We will support any criminal action against those involved in such behavior, and should evidence point to the involvement of Chelsea season ticket holders or members the club will take the strongest possible action against them including banning orders.”
Local police are currently investigating the incident.
Here are some more news and notes to kick off your Wednesday morning:
PRESTON KEEPER SAYS ROONEY APOLOGIZED FOR DIVING
Wayne Rooney claimed a controversial penalty in Monday’s victory over Preston North End, but the Manchester United forward wasted little time in clearing the air with the opposing goalkeeper.
Preston goalkeeper Thorston Stuckmann says that Rooney admitted to him that he dove following Manchester United’s 3-1 victory over the League One side.
“After the game Rooney told me: ‘Sorry, it was my chance to get a penalty. I had to use that,'” Stuckmann said.
“I say it clear: That was no penalty,” he added. “I also believe that if the situation had happened the other way around, one of our strikers against the United keeper, the ref wouldn’t have given the penalty. I have no doubt about that.”
ROMA’S GARCIA FRUSTRATED BY INJURY WOES
Roma boss Rudi Garcia is frustrated by what might have been.
The Italian club has been smacked with injuries all season long, prompting the manager to release his frustration in a press conference ahead of the team’s Europa League matchup with Feyenoord.
“Can you tell me another team that has been affected by serious injuries in the same way Roma have?” Garcia said when asked if injuries were to blame for his side’s form. “Can you give me another example? I don’t want to talk about injuries, I want to talk about the players I have available. “I don’t think about those who don’t play, I trust the players I have available.
“Playing so many games doesn’t help, but I always see the glass as half-full, and I’d say that being second in the table after so many problems is a great thing, not a bad thing. We still have everything to play for, and now we must talk about the Europa League. Our number one goal is to get back to winning ways.”
QUICK KICKS
Jose Mourinho has once again called for better protection of Eden Hazard after the Belgian was repeatedly fouled in Chelsea’s draw with PSG. (REPORT)
Parma has been given a court date over unpaid taxes and the club’s bankruptcy. (REPORT)
Valencia has opened contract talks with Jose Luis Gaya in order to keep the fullback away from Real Madrid. (REPORT)
Stoke City’s Marc Muniesa is facing up to six weeks on the sidelines with a torn hamstring. (REPORT)
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What do you think of Chelsea’s response? Was Rooney’s incident a dive? How will Roma fare in the league and Europe from here on out?
Share your thoughts below.
I think unfortunately clubs really dont care about racism. If fans keep doing it so openly, then they know there will be no repercautions. It is very simple, hit the clubs were it hurts, in their pockets. Ban them from competitions and close their stadiums from having fans. Yet, we all know nothing of the sort will ever happen, therefore things will continue as they always are. sad really.
Are these racist fans aware that Chelsea have all of 2 white Englishmen on their first team?
Doesnt matter, their coach/leader is against the Rooney Rule, so the blacks will always be supervised.
So as an admitted “simulator,” will Rooney get a suspension?
Nope. The PNE keeper Stuckmann will likely get fined or suspended for positing a hypothetical situation in which he predicted that the ref would have been biased and not called a PK when it was deserved.
Yet another reason to love MLS.
+1. Each time I think “gee, the level of play really is stronger in the major European leagues,” or “gee, the MLS sure does have their head up their a** when it comes to player allotment and player salaries etc etc” then I see this and I realize that while American soccer has it’s shortcomings, institutionalilzed racist hatred ain’t one of them. March 6 can’t come soon enough.
Did we really need one more reason to hate Chelsea? Class.
seriously? this is one of the only times i’ve liked the club. you’d rather they not do anything about it?
annnd it just occurred to me that you’re simply saying you hate any club that has some racist fans. i guess i don’t have anything to say to that, except ‘have fun cheering for your imaginary team’.
Maybe he only hates clubs that have fans that sing they are racist. Which is odd because most racists never say they are racist. “I am not a racist but” is what most racists would say.
Is that what I said, or did I say that there are many reasons to hate Chelsea…including some racist fans? BTW, getting on Twitter and denouncing racist chants is about the least Chelsea brass can do.
Is saying “we are racist”, racist?
Do racists go up to people and say ” I am racist”.
The fact that they were singing ‘we are racist’ confirms that pushing that man off the train was about the color of his skin.
they’re not simply ‘denouncing racist chants’–they’re saying that they’ll ban any season-ticket holders or club ‘members’ (i guess fan club?). that’s a great step forward, and an example for other clubs to follow.
but yeah, there are some racists who follow the club, so f–k chelsea, i guess.
d*uchebag owner, d-head coach, John Terry, bandwagon fans…there are plenty of reasons to hate on Chelsea.
i agree with all those (except maybe bandwagon fans, cause who gives a f–k?). they also have nothing to do with this article.
Wow, that’s a surprise English Football fans acting like idiots.