Black man racially abused by Chelsea fans speaks of Paris Metro ordeal

A black man who was the victim of racist Chelsea fans on the Paris Metro said he hopes his children don't hear about his ordeal.

Outcry on both sides of the English Channel has greeted video footage of a group of white men shoving a black man from a carriage, while making racist chants.

Now the victim, who does not speak English, has spoken up and wants to complain to police, even though he was unaware of what was actually said to him.

Speaking to magazine Le Parisien the man -- who gave his name as Souleymane S said: "They were saying things to me in English but I didn't really understand what they were saying. I don't speak a word of English.

"I also understood very well that they were targeting me because of the colour of my skin," he said. "You know, I live with racism; I wasn't really surprised at what happened to me, even if it was the first time in the Metro."

Souleymane said no passengers came to his aid during the incident, which he said lasted up to seven minutes. One by-stander told him afterwards he had been brave to face up to the group of Chelsea fans.

"No passenger came to my defence, but in any case what could one have done? he told the Parisian publication. "Then the train moved on and I waited for the next one.

Scotland Yard is investigating the incident and using footage filmed by an English ex-pat who happened to be at the scene. Authorities in France also look set to launch a probe, after Souleymane said he would complain to police.

"I got home and didn't mention the incident to anyone, neither my wife nor my children... And what would I have said to my children? That daddy was pushed off the Metro because he was black? That's pointless."

Shown the video by Le Parisien, he said: "I didn't know I was filmed. The fact that I'm talking about it now gives me courage to go to the police and file a complaint... These people, these English fans should be found, punished and locked up. What happened should not go unpunished."