A video of self-proclaimed “racists” refusing to allow 33-year-old Souleymane S. (pictured) to board a Paris Metro train on Tuesday has authorities struggling to stop what is seen as an increasingly racist culture in the nation and in football.
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In the video, as the French-Mauritanian Souleymane, who was born in Paris, attempts to 
board a train at the Richelieu-Drouot station, he is met by football fans who are reportedly on their way to a Champions League match.
Moments later, the passengers are seen shoving Souleymane each time he steps aboard the carriage.
And at one point, a large group chants repeatedly, “We’re racist, we’re racist, and that’s the way we like it.”
Transport officers did eventually arrive on the scene, according to reports, but did nothing as they “monitored the situation” for a possible fight.
British expatriate Paul Nolan, who secretly videotaped the incident, called it an “ugly scene” and “very aggressive.”
When asked during an interview why he didn’t report the abuse, Souleymane says that he “lives with racism” and initially thought that filing a complaint would be “pointless.”
“What could I tell my children? That Daddy was shoved around on the Metro, because he is Black?
“That would be pointless.”
Watch the video here:
Officials Reject Racism
Even though the football fans appeared to be British, the public viewing of the video has caused a stir among officials who are especially sensitive to the mistreatment of citizens after the Charlie Hebdo murders in January exposed the poverty and prejudice that first- and- second-generation immigrants face in France.
Therefore, Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Nils Muiznieks implored France to take “urgent” action against further abuses, “Despite advances in legislation and measures to combat intolerance and racism, discrimination and hate speech not only persist in France but are on the rise.”
U.K. Prime Minister David Cameron chimed in as well, calling the video “extremely disturbing and very worrying.”
And London’s Metro Police released a statement saying that they are taking the incident “very seriously” and are looking to identify those who were involved in the shameful display.
Football’s Racist Underbelly
Unfortunately, racism in football throughout Europe has become relatively normal.
Last August, the announcement that Carlo Tavecchio would be the Italian Football Federation‘s new president offended many, because he publicly called African footballers “banana eaters.”
And FC Rostov players demanded that coach Igor Gamula step down in November, after he shamelessly rejected adding a Cameroonian player to his roster because he had “enough dark-skinned players; we got six of the things.”
And there has been countless more stories of football’s finest being showered with bananas during matches, which is why the football fans reportedly chanting, “Chelsea, Chelsea, Chelsea,” as they pushed Souleymane off the train got the attention of football club Chelsea FC.
Now, Chelsea FC says they will facilitate police in identifying any fans and then institute a ban against them.
Meanwhile, the backlash of the video has emboldened Souleymane to file an official complaint.
“These people, these English fans, need to be found and punished, and should be locked up,” he added.
“What happened should not go unpunished.”
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