Friday 20 February 2015 12:04, UK
Chelsea have announced they have suspended three people from Stamford Bridge as a result of investigations into an incident on the Paris Metro on Tuesday.
A local man was prevented from boarding the train by so-called fans chanting " We’re racist, and that’s the way we like it" ahead of the English club's Champions League last-16 first leg against Paris Saint-Germain.
Swift action from Chelsea has prevented the trio from attending Saturday's Premier League match with Burnley in south-west London, which has been designated a 'Game for Equality'. The supporters face life bans if they are found guilty.
A club statement said: "If it is deemed there is sufficient evidence of their involvement in the incident, the club will issue banning orders for life.
"We have received substantial information to date following our witness appeal and we are grateful to the many Chelsea supporters who have provided information so far.
"Our investigations are on-going and we would request any further information is sent to customer.services@chelseafc.com.
"We also continue to cooperate fully with the Metropolitan and Paris police forces who lead the ongoing criminal investigation."
Paris prosecutors confirmed that the alleged victim, identified in media reports as Souleymane S, had made a formal complaint.
The French authorities were working with their British counterparts and anyone convicted could face a prison term of up to three years and a fine of up to 45,000 euro (£33,000).
In an interview with Le Parisien on Thursday, the man named by the newspaper as French-Mauritian Souleymane S called for those involved to be jailed.
He says he could not bear to tell his wife or children about what occurred on Tuesday afternoon at the Richelieu-Drouot Metro station.
"These people, these English supporters, have to be found, punished and should be locked up. What happened shouldn't go unpunished," he told the French newspaper.
Chelsea released a statement describing the incident as "abhorrent" and vowed to take the "strongest possible" action if supporters are found to be involved.
