Paris Metro Chelsea Fans Fight Banning Orders

Five Chelsea fans suspected of involvement in a black man being prevented from boarding a Paris train will fight bids to impose football banning orders, a court has heard.

It is claimed the group were also involved in singing racist chants during the incident on the French capital's Metro, which was filmed by an onlooker.

The footage, filmed ahead of the London club's match against Paris St Germain last month, shows several Chelsea supporters chanting: "We're racist, we're racist and that's the way we like it."

The five men the Metropolitan Police want football banning orders imposed on for their alleged roles in the incident attended Waltham Forest Magistrates' Court in north east London for a preliminary hearing.

They are: Richard Barklie, 50, Carrickfergus, Northern Ireland; Dean Callis, 32, of Islington, north London; Jordan Munday, 20, of Sidcup, south-east London; Josh Parsons, 20, of Dorking, Surrey and William Simpson, 26, of Ashford, Surrey.

Prosecutor Ian Rees Phillips told the packed court that the five men opposed the implementation of the banning orders.

He said video footage would be used as part of the case, and evidence from the Sylla Souleymane, the commuter pushed away from the train.

District Judge Mary Connolly said the orders would involve severe restrictions to civil liberties.

The orders are designed to prevent potential troublemakers from travelling to football matches at home and abroad for three to five years.

Mr Souleymane has said the incident "destroyed" him and left him unable to work or travel on public transport.

He said his children had been left "traumatised" by reports of what happened and that he had become depressed.

The five accused men were smartly dressed in suits as they sat in the court during the short hearing.

A statement issued by lawyers acting on behalf of Munday outside court said: "He adamantly denies being involved in any racist chanting and there is no evidence that he was.

"We question why the Metropolitan Police Service has chosen to become involved in an incident which occurred in another European country, and only after the football fans have returned to the UK, particularly in view of the fact we are aware that football officers from the Metropolitan Police Service were on the Metro train in question."

The case was adjourned for an administrative hearing at Thames Magistrates' Court, in June, before a full hearing at Waltham Forest Magistrates' in July.