Chelsea Must Follow Condemnation with Direct Action on Metro Racism

The aftermath of Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain's UEFA Champions League clash on Tuesday night focused on just one story, and it wasn't even from the field of play.

Video footage of Chelsea supporters apparently singing "we're racist, we're racist and that's the way we like it" emerged on the Guardian website, along with the same people continuously shoving a black passenger off a metro train in Paris.

"

Chelsea fans sing “We’re racist, that’s the way we like it” as they block black man from train http://t.co/wmsHjlcgNS pic.twitter.com/rdRtNVpb91

— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) February 18, 2015"

While the incident has been met with widespread condemnation in social media and in publications, including from Chelsea Football Club, those initial words must be backed up with action to show that such instances will not be tolerated by any organisation that has anything to do with the game.

Club Response

Chelsea were quick to post a message on their website on Wednesday morning:

"

Such behaviour is abhorrent and has no place in football or society. We will support any criminal action against those involved in such behaviour, 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.

"

To the point and very much correct, but as Barney Ronay of the Guardian says, more is yet required.

"They should go further. Stick a pole in the ground. Launch a bespoke campaign. Ask its fans for help to identify those involved. Make it absolutely clear Chelsea is not that place. The manager, the captain, the senior players, the board should all condemn this."

Chelsea has a record of those who purchased tickets for the fixture, of course, and the list will be considerably smaller than usual to scroll through given it was the away leg of the tie. Still, putting those names to the faces on the video will take efforts of many, and possibly require some who were on the train to come forward and identify the instigators. 

Julian Finney/Getty Images

The reputation, the public perception, of the club isn't exactly intact in this area after the John Terry/Anton Ferdinand incident, and it is important they do everything possible to eradicate those involved from future association with the club.

FA? FIFA? UEFA?

What of the game's governing bodies? UEFA play the anti-racism message and wave their banners before every Champions League game, but have already distanced themselves from taking action, per Reuters:

"We are appalled by the incident which took place in the Paris Metro on Tuesday. As it occurred away from the stadium, it is outside UEFA’s remit to act; It is a matter for the local authorities to investigate further and UEFA supports any action that is taken."

Harold Cunningham/Getty Images

How odd, then, that UEFA finds it perfectly reasonable to ban clubs from participating in Europe for financial matters, for example. Are money-making deals and profit-and-loss sheets now typed up in the centre-circle?

How strange that UEFA can ban clubs from playing in one league or another depending on ongoing social and national statuses being unresolved. Is the military struggle between Ukraine and Russia also being played out on turf?

FIFA? Little would be expected of them in any case. The organisation's social perception is at its lowest ebb ever, arguably, and there are lower divisions of the game equipped to handle such regional issues.

"

I also condemn the actions of a small group of Chelsea fans in Paris. There is no place for racism in football!

— Joseph S Blatter (@SeppBlatter) February 18, 2015"

The English FA will point out that this was not a game taking place under their watch, no doubt, but as UEFA have themselves said, this wasn't a match-related incident, and the FA seem to have no trouble extending their own jurisdiction and policing of events well beyond the field of play, as every individual in the game on Twitter knows by now.

"

Uefa rules govern supporters' "Lack of order or discipline observed inside or around the stadium." Don't extend to Chelsea fans on metro.

— David Conn (@david_conn) February 18, 2015"

It is not acceptable for governing boards to pass this over. It is unacceptable for responsibility to be shunned, passed back and forth, ignored as someone else's.

Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images

Every facet of the game is supposed to be working toward stamping all issues of racism out of football, and here we have a visible number of individuals, clearly chanting and acting in a way unbefitting of modern civilisation, in a football-spawned environment. Swift action must be taken so as not to allow onlookers to see the governing bodies and clubs for what they have too frequently been: Loud of words and scant in action when it matters most. 

More than Football

Of course, clear racism should not be tolerated, whether in football matches or off the pitch. 

The issues which lead this group of individuals to feel their behaviour in society, on foreign soil, was both worthy and acceptable are concerning factors. Was it a spur-of-the-moment mob mentality? Was it a misplaced act of bravado in some bizarre defence of their club? Or are they genuinely as stupid and appalling as they come across?

"

Paris prosecutor has opened investigation into Chelsea fans on Metro, possible crime “racial violence on public transport.” via @achrisafis

— David Conn (@david_conn) February 18, 2015"

"

Met Police will examine footage of Chelsea fans & will take action, assist French authorities. Appealing for info: http://t.co/9g5CBCjzgi

— Rob Harris (@RobHarris) February 18, 2015"

Only finding out who was involved and speaking to them will yield those answers, but in the age of ever-growing power and use of social media, there's a high chance someone will recognise the supporters involved. If the power of Twitter and similar sites is good for anything, it is in spreading the message quickly and with intent, whatever the situation, location or origin of an event.

The people involved shouldn't get away with such behaviour, and as much as it is a social issue overall, the buck in this case has to stop with Chelsea and how they opt to pursue the matter.

Follow @karlmatchett